Fire Safety in Illegal Hostels

A story about fire safety in illegal hostels in Australia:

• http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/04/2410301.htm?section=business
• http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/11/04/13491_local-news.html

AUTHORITIES fear another Childers-style fire disaster could erupt in illegal Innisfail backpacker hostels that are cramming up to 15 people into a room.

Surprise inspections of more than 20 hostels and residential homes revealed beds blocking fire exits, deadlocked doors, dangerously overloaded electrical power points and exposed wiring.

Cassowary Coast Council officers also found one unregistered hostel charging up to $150 a week to sleep on makeshift mattresses on the floor.

...

Nine women and six men were killed in the inferno at Palace Backpackers Hostel at Childers in southeast Queensland in June 2000.