Budget travelers commonly referred to as “backpackers” have always known that many of the hostels they patronize around the world are firetraps, but when the Palace Hostel in Childers, Queensland burned recently, killing 15 guests, the expression took on real meaning. Since then, Queensland authorities have been inspecting hostels and have found about a dozen in Townsville that violate fire codes. The hostels will be shut down unless they complete the necessary repairs.
