The New Zealand government will review safety regulations for high density accommodation in the wake of the Loafers Lodge fire as police begin their forensic examination of the hostel.

The death toll remains at six following the blaze at the Wellington building early on Tuesday.

Acting Wellington District Commander Dion Bennett said his “gut feeling” was that number would rise as police began to survey the charred building.

Police are treating the fire as an act of arson and have several people of interest they would to interview as part of their homicide investigation.

Those staying at the hostel, which housed low-income Kiwis and a mix of short- and long-term tenants – including some deported from Australia, and others under corrections orders – have told local media of their fears for fellow residents.

On Thursday, police will begin a thorough review of the building, searching for bodies, identifying them and transporting them out.

Mr Bennett said damage was extensive, with debris as high as a metre in places.

Police will also continue to reconcile lists of people believed to be at the hostel by accounting for their whereabouts.

There are “less than 20” outstanding people, Mr Bennett said on Wednesday, including the six bodies originally confirmed by Fire and Emergency NZ.

There were just over 100 people in the 92-bed facility, described on its website as “Wellington’s most convenient and affordable accommodation option”.

The blaze has triggered outrage and despair among Wellingtonians, particularly owing to the vulnerable nature of those affected.

Many who survived lost all of their possessions and many have been rendered homeless.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday said he would ask Housing Minister Megan Woods to examine building regulations issues.

“I’ve already asked officials to give me advice in terms of what we need to do to ensure that buildings are safe for New Zealanders,” Dr Woods said.

The building’s director, Greg Mein, said he was distraught at the fire, while defending the structure’s maintenance.

“Myself, the management, the family etc of the owner, everyone is just gutted by this. It’s just done us in completely,” he said.

Mr Main said monthly inspections and a recent annual building warrant of fitness showed “all the services are up to standard and … everything was a-OK”.

– AAP