HONOLULU (AP) — One man died in a Honolulu house fire that police suspect was intentionally set early Monday.
HONOLULU (AP) — One man died in a Honolulu house fire that police suspect was intentionally set early Monday.
Firefighters responded to the blaze and found the victim, who has not yet been identified, dead in the living room of the multi-story home. Several others there when the fire broke out were able to escape uninjured.
Police Lt. Phillip Lavarias said the 58-year-old suspect was also at the home and had tried leaving before being detained by firefighters until police arrived. He faces murder and arson charges.
“The suspect exited the residence and confronted the HFD (Honolulu Fire Department) personnel,” Lavarias said. “He actually attacked one of the firefighters. He was subdued by HFD personnel as well as some witnesses and the responding police.”
Lavarias said witnesses reported seeing the suspect pour flammable liquid in one of the bedrooms.
Damage to the home is estimated at about $240,000. The property has eight different units.
Angel Baldonado, 22, who lives next door to the unit where the fire occurred, said she heard a smoke detector go off and people shouting. She then saw flames coming from the unit.
“We heard a commotion going on outside, and I heard one of the guys say, “fire” and I opened the door and the flames were right there,” Baldonado said.
Hawaii News Now reported that the owners of the residence face nearly $16,000 in fines related to the number of people living on the property. The city said in a notice issued in March that there is a six-unit, multi-family dwelling on the property occupied by a family and 11 other people.
Property owner Cipriana Luczon said she was unaware of the violations.