Loafers Lodge fire survivors blocked from receiving travel aid for manslaughter trial

Representatives of Loafers Lodge fire survivors report that the Victim Assistance Scheme has refused to fund their travel and accommodation for the manslaughter trial of four individuals accused of mishandling fire safety systems. The trial follows a previous murder and arson case in which Esarona Lologa was convicted. Under the scheme’s homicide rules, only the families of the five deceased and a limited number of supporters receive aid, leaving the roughly 90 survivors excluded.

Survivor Mark Jones, who was hospitalized at the time of the fire, described the policy as "disrespectful" and emphasized the lasting health problems, loss of belongings and psychological stress endured by survivors. He stressed the need to monitor the trial’s outcomes to support potential compensation claims, noting that proper duty of care could have prevented the fatalities. A Victim Support spokesperson clarified that the funding criteria stem from existing eligibility rules rather than a specific decision against the survivors.