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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 9:22 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2007

No injuries in Highlands classroom fire — video

By DAVE DONDONEAU
Advertiser Staff Writer

PEARL CITY — A late-night fire destroyed a portable classroom at Highlands Intermediate School and caused minor damage to two others, but the school will be open as usual this morning, Highlands principal Amy Martinson said.

"The one portable classroom destroyed housed our computer lab," Martinson said. "We had five computers in there. The other two classrooms have one each.

"When I found out about the fire I was just glad it happened at night and nobody was hurt. That's the most important thing. We can replace the portable classrooms."

See the aftermath of the fire in this video.

Capt. Frank Johnson of the Honolulu Fire Department said the fire was called in at 11:30 last night. Approximately 35 firefighters surrounded the campus, located at 1460 Ho'olaulea St., and brought the fire under control before midnight.

"We don't know what caused the fire but the investigation is ongoing," Johnson said. "We don't have a damage total yet, but the one portable was completely destroyed."

Though the fire was quickly under control, smoke continued to pour from the building past 2 a.m.

Nathan Young, who lives nearby the campus on Nanakai Street, saw the fire at its peak.

"The flames are shooting above the trees," he said.

Martinson emphasized that classes will be in session on campus today. The classes affected by the fire will be relocated either to the cafeteria, library or to another classroom.

"It's no day off; all students, report to school," Martinson said. "I have no idea how this could have started. I can't see anyone doing this to their school."

Dave Dondoneau is the overnight reporter for The Advertiser. If you have a breaking news story overnight to report, contact him at (808) 525-8048 or ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com. You can also call the newsroom at 525-8090.