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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:25 p.m., Thursday, August 14, 2008

Cause of Saturday Maili fire 'undetermined'

Advertiser Staff

Cause of a Mai'li fire Saturday has been classified as "undetermined" by Honolulu Fire Department investigators.

HFD spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said the "undetermined" classification means investigators analyzed all possible causes of the fire but were unable to identify any one specific cause. In addition, there is insufficient information to substantially eliminate some or all of the other possible causes, Seelig said.

The case can be reopened with discovery of new information on the fire at 87-344 Farrington Highway, which caused $245,000 damage to the structure and $20,000 in losses to content, Seelig said. The fire started in the carport of the home and spread to the attached dwelling, causing substantial damage, he added.

Investigations into three other recent fires have also been completed, Seelig said. Causes for all were accidental.

  • Sunday. Workers using a torch to install copper water pipes started the fire at 95-595 Kaname'e St. in Mililani, which caused $100,000 damage.

  • Monday. An electrical malfunction caused a buildup of heat that started a fire at 95-023 Waihau St. in Waipio Acres. Damage was estimated at $70,000 to the structure and $20,000 to the contents.

  • Monday. Heat buildup in an extension cord plugged into a light fixture within a storage unit started the fire at Metro Self Storage, 94-1355 Waipi'o Uka St. Damage was estimated at $15,000 to the storage unit structure and $2,000 to contents.