Liliha house fire investigators close in on suspect
Advertiser Staff
Arson investigators are following up on leads and have identified a possible suspect or suspects in a fire Thursday morning in Liliha that destroyed one house and damaged five others.
Acting Lt. Nani Hee of the Honolulu Police Department's Major Crimes Unit said the case was turned over to police after Fire Department officials determined that the blaze was intentionally set.
Hee would not say what led fire investigators to conclude the fire was deliberately set.
"In general, we open arson investigations if the Fire Department finds something in particular to suggest the fire was set intentionally, and also in cases where all the other possible causes — such as faulty wiring or whatever — have been ruled out," Hee said.
Hee would not say what, if any, relationship there is between the suspect, or suspects, and the house that burned, saying the investigation is ongoing.
No one was injured in the fire that destroyed a single-story wooden home at 1908-A Liliha St.
A woman, a man and a 2-year-old child were in the house when the fire started but were able to get out safely, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Tejada said a woman and three children, who range in age from 2 to 14 years, usually occupy the house.
Damage to the house that was destroyed was estimated at $175,000 to the structure and $20,000 to its contents. The estimate does not include the damage done to the nearby homes, Tejada said.
The Liliha fire, which was reported at 2:33 a.m., does not appear to be related "in any way shape or form" to a house fire in the Honokai Hale subdivision that was reported about 6:10 a.m. Thursday, Tejada said.
A man and a woman, both estimated to be in their 40s, were injured in a fire that was mostly contained to a bedroom on the second floor of the home at 92-391 Waiomea St.
The cause of that blaze has yet to be determined and no estimate of the damage was available yet, Tejada said.
The American Red Cross of Hawai'i is helping five people left homeless from the fire. A spokesman said the five are getting food, clothing and shelter.
