NZer in Tasmanian court after fatal fire

A New Zealand man has been in court following a fatal fire at a Tasmanian backpacker hostel.

Thirty-four-year-old Tony Laurence McLennan has been charged with two counts of stealing.

He worked at the Metro Backpackers Hostel, which was gutted on New Year's Eve claiming the life of 21-year-old Scottish tourist Callum Melville.

Australian police are not saying whether there is any link between the alleged thefts and the fire. They have confirmed the fire was deliberately lit.

McLennan appeared in appeared in court yesterday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to return to court next week.

- NEWSTALK ZB