Families of Australian hostel fire victims consider legal action

Families of the victims of an arson attack on an Australian hostel, which claimed 15 lives two years ago, are considering legal action against its managers for alleged negligence.

Julie O'Keefe, 21, from Limerick, perished in the blaze in Childers in June 2000.

During the trial it emerged that the fire alarm system had been switched off two months before the blaze.

Robert Patrick Long was jailed for 20 years for the murder of twins Stacy and Kelly Slarke.

He was then given 15 years for lighting the blaze that killed the 13 other backpackers.