Officials suspect arson in one of two school fires

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Firefighters believe a fire early yesterday in a portable classroom at Aliamanu Intermediate School was set deliberately, and arson investigators were working to determine who was responsible.

Another classroom fire Friday evening at Ilima Intermediate school in 'Ewa Beach appeared to have been caused by a faulty electrical outlet, firefighters said.

The Aliamanu fire was reported at 5:09 a.m. yesterday. Firefighters arrived to find the portable classroom engulfed in flames.

Eighteen firefighters worked until 5:23 a.m. to extinguish the blaze and keep it from spreading, said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

Damage to the building was estimated at $80,000. Loss of classroom materials was put at $10,000.

Tejada said firefighters found evidence that someone had tried to start fires in two other places: outside another portable classroom and outside the women's bathroom for teachers.

The arsonist appeared to have used a fire accelerant, he said.

The police and fire department continue to investigate, he said. No one was injured in that fire or the one at Ilima Intermediate School.

The two fires appear unrelated, Tejada said.

The Ilima Intermediate School fire, reported at 7:53 p.m. Friday, burned a classroom inside the main building. Damage was estimated at $20,000 to the structure and $5,000 to its contents.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.