Wai'anae school fire not arson

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The fire that destroyed most of the second floor of a 10-classroom building at Wai'anae High School on Thursday could have been caused by an electrical short circuit, a fire official said last night.

Fire investigators have ruled out arson but have sent evidence to a laboratory on the Mainland for more tests, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.

The fire caused an estimated $750,000 in damage to the school's U Building and its contents, which included computers and textbooks.

Investigators believe that the blaze may have begun in the building's wiring or electrical outlets, Kane said.

U Building is part of a three-building complex that serves as the school's ninth-grade academy.

Vice principal Ryan Oshita said about 120 students will spend the remainder of the school year taking classes in the library.

The school was on spring break this week. The school is still scheduled to resume classes Monday.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.