By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin A North King Street fire this morning, which investigators
suspect was started to cover up a burglary, damaged this
architect's office as well as an import goods store downstairs.
Officials say
fire set to
cover burglary
Two businesses suffer big losses
By Rod Ohira
in today's early blaze downtown
Star-BulletinTwo downtown businesses suffered major losses today in an early-morning burglary and fire that was set by the thieves.
"There appears to be a burglary, and the fire was started possibly to cover up tracks," Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief Kenneth Word said of the 3:46 a.m. fire at a two-story North King Street building next to Liberty House's Penthouse store. The blaze was controlled by 4:20 a.m.
Police arrested a 49-year-old man near the scene, and suspect more than one person was involved in the break-in.
The man was admitted to Queen's Hospital under guard for a cut on his foot, police Lt. Kevin Lima said. He will be booked for second-degree burglary and possibly for first-degree criminal property damage when released.
Detective Robert Cravalho says the man was carrying a duffel bag containing what appeared to be new clothing when stopped on Marin Street behind the building.
Dresses retailing for $65-$95 were among items stolen from Queen Imports at 25 N. King St., said store owner Phyllis Oaks.
The thieves entered the building through a rooftop back door to the upstairs office of architect Fritz Johnson at 31 N. King St., and used a heavy wooden beam to punch a large hole through a drywall to get into Queen Imports.
"I'm sick," Oaks said. "The water damage is terrible."
The fire spread from a room in Johnson's office, a worker said.
"The damage is bad," said John Weitz, a consultant for Johnson.
Fire investigator Capt. Glenn Solem, who will compile a loss estimate, said, "The fire went across the office ceiling, and the heat damaged all the computers, everything."
There have been two recent burglaries in the area, police said: at Johnson's office on Aug. 6, and at Murphy's Bar & Grill on Aug. 3, where liquor and frozen shrimp were stolen.
