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Police arrested one person today in connection with a brush fire at Koko Crater that temporarily trapped six people on top of the trail.
The fire started about 3:25 p.m., apparently by a flare that someone fired at the rifle range nearby, said Honolulu fire Capt. Gary Lum.
Authorities said one person was arrested for investigation of first-degree arson.
The fire came close to the Koko Crater railway trail at about the halfway point.
“It cut off the access for the hikers to come down because it was near the train tracks,” Lum said. “A police helicopter helped us with airlifting the hikers off the top of (Koko Crater).”
The hikers were safely brought back to the park.
About 30 firefighters working from the ground and making water drops by helicopter contained the fire by 5:45 p.m., Lum said. Windy and dry conditions drove the fire across several acres of brush. Fire crews remained at the scene about 6:30 p.m., mopping up hot spots. A fire investigator was sent out to confirm the cause of the fire.
