More details will likely emerge around the fatal Loafers Lodge fire in 2023, as the second day of the trial gets underway today

Five people died in the hostel blaze in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

A 50-year-old is accused of starting two fires, one of which did not fully develop.

He will pursue a defence of insanity.

Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale says more than 100 witnesses will be heard over the five-week trial.

She says there's CCTV footage of the fire starting and someone will introduce the 111 call of one of the victims.