Posted on: Saturday, February 26, 2005

Two teens accused of setting fire to home

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two 13-year-old boys were arrested yesterday in connection with an intentionally set fire that severely damaged an unoccupied home near Nanaikapono Elementary School in Nanakuli, police said.

Police said the boys were arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal property damage in the midmorning fire. The two boys and a third boy, who is 14, also were accused of truancy.

The fire, which was reported about 10:15 a.m., destroyed the home's roof and extensively damaged the interior, firefighters said. Damage was estimated at about $80,000.

Fire units from Nanakuli, Wai'anae and Kapolei battled the blaze, bringing it under control in about 10 minutes.

Police said a teacher at the elementary school saw the three boys running back from the burning building and that a school maintenance worker stopped the boys because of truancy concerns.

About the same time, a police patrol officer noticed smoke coming from the house on Mano Avenue, determined no one was inside and saw the three boys running away.

Police said the older boy told the officer that he and the other two had gone to the home to smoke cigarettes, that one of the younger boys ignited a small rubbish fire and that the third boy threw more rubbish onto the growing fire.

Police said the older boy told the younger ones, "enough already," and that the three boys ran back toward the school.