Honolulu Fire Department investigators have determined that an early morning fire that broke out at a Navy family housing complex on the Pearl City Peninsula was set intentionally, a department spokesman said today.

The investigation has been concluded and passed on to Honolulu police for criminal investigation, Capt. Gary Lum of the fire department said. 

The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. today and heavily damaged the garage and first floor of one unit. Three other adjoining units also suffered smoke and water damage, said Angnes Tauyan, a public affairs officer with the Navy.

The fire apparently started in a carport and took nearly an hour to extinguish, according to fire officials.

Eleven people — a family of four, a family of thee and two families of two — were affected, and the Red Cross and military agencies are assisting them, Tauyan said. 

The family of three decided to stay in their unit, while the others are in temporary housing.