The trial of a man accused of five counts of murder and two counts of arson begins in the capital today

Wellington's Loafers Lodge broke out in flames in May 2023, just after midnight, killing five people.

The man has interim name suppression and it's believed he may pursue a defence of insanity in the High Court.

Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale says the man is the only person facing murder charges, but four others have been charged with manslaughter.

She says they were in charge of the building's fire safety operations and will face a separate trial.