Fire in construction trash bin scales side of landmark hotel

Honolulu Fire Department investigators suspect a construction trash bin fire that scorched the exterior of the Moana Surfrider hotel early Wednesday morning was intentionally set.

Arson investigations were initiated both by the Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Fire Department.

No one was injured during the 2:44 a.m. blaze, which took 30 firefighters 20 minutes to bring under control.

Flames from the construction trash bin, which contained carpet remnants, rose as high as the sixth floor of the hotel, Seelig said.

Fire damage was limited to the Ewa exterior wall of the 111-year-old hotel. However, heat from the flames blew out the windows on the first and second floors, said Capt. Terry Seelig, Hono­lulu Fire Department spokes­man.

There also was water damage to a coffee shop on the street level.

There was no estimate of the dollar amount of damage Wednesday.

Seelig said there were no problems with the hotel’s fire alarm system in warning guests about the blaze.
Hotel guests were evacuated with no reports of injuries, and no one was displaced.

Kalakaua Avenue at Seaside Avenue was closed for 90 minutes and reopened at 4:30 a.m.