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Man arrested on suspicion of arson after 3 fires in 2 days damage house
Police arrested a 43-year-old man Thursday for allegedly starting a fire, possibly because of a landlord-tenant dispute, at a vacant Kailua house.
Fire investigators say three fires were intentionally set over the past two days at 361 Hualani St., said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig.
Firefighters were called to the house at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday and arrived just as neighbors had extinguished a fire that damaged the exterior of the house, Seelig said.
Seelig said that at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters extinguished a small blaze in the living room at the same house.
Twelve hours later, firefighters were called to the same address in response to a medical emergency but turned the scene over to paramedics, Seelig said.
An Emergency Medical Services supervisor said paramedics were sent as backup after someone called firefighters and hung up.
No patient was transported and the call was canceled, the supervisor said.
During an investigation, fire investigators determined a third fire had damaged the front door to the building.
Seelig said the three fires caused an estimated $20,000 worth of damage.
Officers found the man at Kalanianaole Highway and Auloa Road at 8:23 a.m. Thursday and arrested him on suspicion of second-degree robbery, two counts of violating a temporary restraining order and one count of third-degree arson.