A jury's heard that escape was impossible for the five people who were killed in the 2023 Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington

The month-long trial of the 50-year-old facing five murder charges and two arson charges is drawing to a close, with both sides giving closing arguments.

The defendant's pursing a defence of insanity.

Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale says the crown prosecutor's described to the jury, the desperate actions residents took to escape the fire.

She says one man leaped out of his window on the roof of another building and another smashed through a sky light screaming for help.