On June 23rd, 2000, just after midnight, Robert Paul Long set fire to the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel in Queensland. He had recently been evicted for not paying his rent and in his anger, he sparked a tragedy.

There were 84 travellers in the hostel that night. They woke up gasping for air and choking on smoke in the pitch-black darkness.

15 people lost their lives, making this one of the deadliest fires in Australian history. Our guest, journalist Paul Cochrane, interviewed the survivors. In many instances, he was the only interview they gave.

Listen to Paul’s podcast Childers here.

Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast.

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CREDITS

Guests: Paul Cochrane

Host: Gemma Bath

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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