Prime suspect arrested in connection with Australian hostel fire

Updated: 13:43, Wednesday, 28 June 2000

Australian police have arrested a man wanted in connection with last week's fire at a backpackers' hostel, in which 15 people died.

Robert Paul Long, Shot and wounded Robert Paul Long, Shot and wounded

Australian police have arrested a man wanted in connection with last week's fire at a backpackers' hostel, in which 15 people died. First reports say that Robert Paul Long was shot in the arm when he was arrested south of Childers, in Queensland. An Irish student, Julie O'Keeffe, from Limerick, was among 15 people who died in the fire at the Palace Hostel in the town. Long was said to have ignored requests to surrender and allegedly attacked a police dog handler with a knife. Following the shooting Long was taken to a hospital at Maryborough, 124 miles north of Brisbane. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

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