Posted at 4:46 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Reward offered in Big Island school fire
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — County and federal law enforcement officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in setting the April 11 fire that did an estimated $1.5 million in damage to Waiakea High School.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Big Island Police Department are offering the reward.
"We take this incident seriously and are committed to pursuing every investigative lead," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelvin N. Crenshaw.
No one was injured in the early morning fire in the Hilo school's administration building, but the blaze did extensive damage to the registrar's and other offices.
Police confirmed an accelerant was used to ignite the fire. It was the third case of arson on the campus in eight weeks.
"We urge anyone to call if you have any information that would assist us in apprehending the responsible persons in this case," said Captain Chad Fukui, commander of the Big Island Police Department's East Hawai'i Criminal Investigations Division.
Two hotline numbers have been established to receive tips in the case. They are 1-888-ATF-FIRE, and 961-2383. All calls are confidential.
