Car fire believed to be arson

Fire investigators say they believe that the fire that destroyed a late-model car and a carport in Makaha early Wednesday morning was intentionally set.

Capt. Terry Seelig, fire department spokesman, said investigators believe the fire started in the vehicle. He said the case has been forwarded to police.

It was the second time this week that cars parked at houses burned while firefighters prevented the blazes from spreading to the homes.

Wednesday’s fire at 84-738A Lahaina St. was called in at 3:14 a.m. Firefighters arrived at the house at 3:22 a.m. and had the fire under control three minutes later.

Seelig said the fire started in a 2010 Camaro parked in a carport that was not attached to the house.

One person was home at the time, but was not injured. The home was not damaged. Seelig said damage to the car and carport was set at $40,000.

Fire investigators are also still trying to determine the cause of a Monday car fire that caused an estimated $160,000 in damage to a Lanikai garage and $150,000 to the contents, including the vehicle, Seelig said.

The fire started in a BMW parked in the garage of the beachside home at 884 Mokulua Drive, and firefighters were able to save the three-bedroom, $1.4 million house.