Updated at 1 p.m., Tuesday, August 20, 2002
Fire damages six Waiakea High classrooms
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| Vice Principal Kelcy Koga of Waiakea High surveys the damage after an early morning fire today damaged six classrooms at the Big Island school. The fire's cause is under investigation, but school officials suspect the blaze was deliberately set. Tim Wright • Special to The Advertiser |
By Vicki Viotti
and Hugh Clark
Advertiser Staff Writers
Fire investigators are probing the origin and cause of the fire, but school officials suspect that it was deliberately set.
The school was guarded only by roving security patrols who watch several campuses, said school principal Ronald Furakawa. The fire was reported by a passing motorist, Furakawa said.
Firefighters arrived at the scene, 155 W. Kawili St., at 3:30 a.m. and had the fire under control 45 minutes later, officials said.
The blaze was declared extinguished at 4:53 a.m. but flared up again briefly just after 9 a.m.; firefighters remaining at the scene doused the smoldering areas.
Police said classrooms in the R Building sustained fire, smoke and water damage. Three classrooms – two used for English classes and one physical science and biology lab – were severely damaged, officials said. Three more sustained lesser smoke and water damage. Damages were estimated at $400,000.
Faculty and staff reported to work today, but the 1,300 students were told to stay home. Freshman at the school reported for classes July 31; the upper three grade levels started class Aug. 1.
The campus sits next to Waiakea elementary and intermediate schools.
