Arson affects four families in Pearl City

3 of 4 families not able to return home due to damage

By Paul Drewes

Published  8:41 PM HST Jul 15, 2012

Four families were forced from their homes this morning from an early morning fire in Pearl City Sunday.  The work of an arsonist, according to investigators, affected nearly a dozen people.

Across the Pearl City Peninsula early Sunday morning, smoke could be seen pouring out of the townhouse on fire.

It was the garage of the U.S. Navy housing unit that first went up in flames around 3:30 a.m.

As residents evacuated from the burning building, federal and county fire crews were called in. Those emergency crews were able to put out the fire by 4:15 a.m.

During that time, the flames and smoke damaged the initial carport and a neighboring one, along with the first floor and porch of the two-story home.  Two adjoining units also suffered smoke and water damage.

The damage was bad enough that three of the four families were not able to return home.  They were being helped by the Red Cross and military organizations so they will have a place to stay Sunday night.

During their investigation, fire personnel discovered the early morning blaze was no accident.  Investigators found clues that determined the fire had been intentionally set.  Honolulu police are now investigating who might be behind this case of arson.