NZer guilty of manslaughter over Tasmania fire

A New Zealander has been found guilty of manslaughter after starting a fire in a hostel in Tasmania, the AAP news agency reported.

The jury at Launceston Supreme Court last night found Tony Laurence McLennan, formerly of Wellington, deliberately started the fire in the city's Metro Backpackers hostel on December 31, 2004.

The jury could not reach the required unanimous verdict for murder and returned a majority guilty verdict for manslaughter instead, AAP said.

The court had heard McLennan, who was at the time the hostel's night manager, set the fire to hide thefts from the hostel safe.

The tourist, Callum Melville, 21, died from smoke inhalation.

- NZHERALD STAFF