The families of 15 backpackers who were killed in an Australian hostel fire three years ago are to sue the owners and government officials for negligence, their lawyer said today.

The families of backpackers who perished in the arson attack on an Australian hostel two years ago were seeking compensation today, amid claims of a lack of fire safety in the building.

The families of some of the backpackers who died when an arsonist set fire to an Australian hostel two years ago are to sue its managers for alleged negligence, a lawyer said today.