Fire damages Neiman Marcus

Advertiser Staff

Fire broke out at a Neiman Marcus loading area at Ala Moana Center early today, causing $25,000 in damage to merchandise and other contents before it was doused by a single automatic fire sprinkler head and responding firefighters.

The fire appeared to have started in a bin of tablecloths and napkins from the store's Mariposa restaurant after the linens were brought to the street-level loading area for laundering, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

Although no specific evidence was found, Soo said investigators believe discarded smoking materials, such as a smoldering cigarette, may have been gathered up accidentally in the linens when they were removed from the dining area.

The fire caused only $500 in damage to the loading area itself on the makai side of the center, and did not affect the store's retailing areas on higher floors, Soo said.

Officials received their first call about the blaze at 2:50 a.m. The last company left the scene at 6:30 a.m.