Maui House Fire Probed as Arson, Suicide

Oct. 10, 2013
Neighbors said they heard a series of pops before seeing the house ablaze.

Oct. 09--Maui police are investigating a Waiehu house fire this morning as a possible case of arson and suicide.

Firefighters responded to the alarm at 1364 Kakae Place at 6:21 a.m.

Police said they were also called to the home at 6:19 a.m. after a report of possible abuse in progress at the residence.

Arriving officers saw the rear of the home engulfed in flames and were told that the 52-year-old home owner set his residence on fire and had fired several gunshots in the house.

The fire at the single-family structure was brought under control at 7:11 a.m. and firefighters discovered the charred remains of a man in the house and the remains of three dogs. Another injured dog was turned over to a local animal rescue company for treatment, police said.

The remains are believed to be of the home owner, however the body has not been positively identified.

Subdivision resident Jimmy Leon said he heard a series of loud pops before spotting smoke and then large flames raging through the roof of the one-story structure.

Copyright 2013 - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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