Serial arsonist believed
cause of H-2 blaze

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By B.J. Reyes
breyes@starbulletin.com

An afternoon brush fire along the H-2 freeway yesterday was the latest in a string of blazes that authorities believe may be the work of a serial arsonist.

Yesterday's fire was reported around 1 p.m. on the North Shore-bound side of the freeway just past Ka Uka Boulevard and was contained in less than an hour, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

The fire may have been set by the same person or people who started three suspicious fires along the H-2 that were reported Thursday, as well as a small fire in roughly the same location Saturday afternoon, Soo said.

"We suspect a serial arsonist continues to do it daily at about the same time," Soo said.

Fire officials have asked the Honolulu Police Department for help in catching the suspected arsonist or arsonists. So far, no arrests have been made.

"We don't have any evidence against it" being a serial arsonist, HPD Detective James Anderson said. "It could also be a bunch of idiots -- a bunch of guys see a fire and say, 'Hey, let's go do that.'"

Anderson said police have no leads, and little evidence has been found at the sites. He said one fire started about 50 feet below the highway, indicating that someone likely threw something out of a car window to start the blaze.

Even though the recent fires have burned only brush and have not threatened homes, that does not mean they will not cause a problem in the future, Soo said.

"All you need is high winds and just the right conditions" for the fire to take hold, Soo said. "That's happened before. It's not like it can't happen again."

Authorities are seeking the public's help. Anyone with information is asked to call Anderson at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

"Any tip will be helpful," Anderson said. "We'll look into anything we can find."