For the second time in 20 months, surfers who stored boards at a Waikiki board locker lost everything in a raging fire caused by arson. Smoke plumes were reportedly seen miles away as life-saving boards used by lifeguards, and boards from private owners went up in flames.
According to firefighting officials the rack was located between Moana Surfrider hotel and the Waikiki police substation. The blaze was right next to the hotel, putting the entire structure in danger. Occupants of both buildings were evacuated. Last year another fire in the same spot damaged some 525 boards in a similar blaze.
After the previous fire, police opened a first-degree arson investigation into the blaze and released video footage of the suspect. This time, they were able to make an arrest as a 43-year-old man was reportedly taken into custody. He was apparently in the area of the fire. There was no motive given as to why he would start the blaze but it was certainly a dangerous scene.
