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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Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.  

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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&rsquo;s podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/childers/id1514983940">Childers</a> here.
Email us at <a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice note </a>to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast.
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CREDITS 
Guests: Paul Cochrane
Host: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmabath/overlay/photo/">Gemma Bath</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahli-blackman-205a891b7/?originalSubdomain=au">Tahli Blackman</a>
Audio Producer: Jacob Round
GET IN TOUCH
Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. &nbsp;
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on <a href="tel:1300 22 4636">1300 22 4636</a>.
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

True Crime Conversations explores the world’s most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. 

Follow us on TikTok @truecrimeconversations

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au

True Crime Conversations explores the world&rsquo;s most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them.&nbsp;
Follow us on TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@truecrimeconversations?lang=en">@truecrimeconversations</a>
Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>

True Crime Conversations

25 Years Ago, A Revengeful Man Set Fire To A Queensland Hostel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/1912ccf7-071c-41bc-9e97-b27a0022330f/transcript

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