A 42-year-old man who was chased down by Kalihi Valley residents who suspected he started a house fire is no longer a suspect in the case, police said.

The man remained at the Honolulu police cellblock Saturday on an unrelated $300 warrant.

He was in police custody after neighbors chased and captured him as he left the neighborhood when the fire broke out.

Neighbors described him as a disgruntled former tenant who had been thrown out of the house, 1561 Kilohana St., for drinking alcohol.

The two-story house, used as a temporary home for recovering alcoholics, was unoccupied when the fire started about 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

Fire officials later determined that someone set the storage room below the first floor on fire and estimated damages at $165,000.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said the results of the investigation have been sent to the Honolulu Police Department.