Article: A shrine to the dead in hostel blaze

A PICNIC bench in front of the burned-out hostel where 15 young backpackers died was turned into a makeshift shrine yesterday as a group of 20 survivors gathered with a priest for an impromptu memorial service.

Among the carnations, roses and other flowers were hand- scribbled notes in memory of the dead and a bunch of bananas from a local fruit farm.

At the same time, Australian police investigating the fire named a man they are hunting who had been making threats to burn the place down.

Chief superintendent Ken Benjamin said police wanted to interview Robert Long, 37, who was known to have frequented the Palace Hostel and was seen there on Friday night, shortly before the fatal fire that ...

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