Warning: Video contains footage and audio that may upset some viewers.
A former Loafers Lodge resident who leapt from the burning building to save his own life says he was terrified of going up in flames.
Faamatala Sili also watched CCTV footage of the moment he jumped as it was shown to a jury at the High Court in Wellington.
He gave evidence during the trial of a 50-year-old man who has denied murdering those five people by setting Loafers Lodge alight just after midnight on 16 May, 2023.
Sili said he was playing his Xbox in his room on the third floor. He heard stomping feet and breaking glass, but he thought it was drunk people and beer bottles.
Then he noticed smoke snaking underneath this bedroom door, which he opened.
"Just a huge black cloud came rushing into my room... I panicked."
He could not breathe, he said.
"I quickly climbed out my window and I took a few moments to gather up the courage, and then I just jumped onto the roof of the building next to my window."
Sili said he felt he had no other choice - he knew if he did not jump, he would die.
"I was just terrified of burning, of going up in flames."
Sili watched on as hazy video footage of his jump was shown to the jury. It showed him standing on the windowsill for some time before he leaped.
Those in the courtroom recoiled as they heard the loud thud of his landing.
Sili said he landed on the roof of the building next door and tried to stand up, but he was dizzy, his legs were shaking uncontrollably and one was gashed.
"So I just crawled along... and waited for someone to notice me, so I could call for help."
While he was on the roof, he heard an old man screaming for help. He did not know which floor the cries were coming from.
"He sounded like he was getting weak, and just really desperate for someone to save him," Sili said.
"When I heard that sound it just sounded terrifying to me, it was... a horrible sound."
Faamatala Sili watched CCTV footage of the moment he jumped as it was shown in court. Photo: Pool
Earlier on Wednesday, the court heard from another resident who escaped to the roof of Loafers Lodge.
Glen Cross said it "didn't feel real" - he was unsure if anyone knew he was on the roof, and did not think there was any way down.
"We're going to be okay?" he asked the man who answered his 111 call.
After he was rescued, he stood on the street surveying the flames and smoke pouring from the building he had escaped.
The residents were among around 100 Crown witnesses being called over the five-week trial.
The Crown said the defendant, whose name was suppressed, knew that lighting the fire was morally wrong and that people could die as a result.
Crown lawyers understood the man does not dispute that he lit the fire. The man's lawyers intended to use an insanity defence.
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