Homeowner who set his house on fire charged with first-degree arson
COURTESY HPD
Christopher Paikai
A 50-year-old Kapahulu man was charged Tuesday with first-degree arson for setting his own house on fire.
Police had arrested Christopher K. Paikai at 10:50 a.m. Sunday on 4th Avenue on suspicion of first-degree arson.
He was charged by prosecutors on Tuesday, and his bail was set at $100,000.
City property tax records show Paikai is one of the owners of the property at 3257 Brokaw St.
The blaze started with a vehicle fire in the garage at about 9:45 a.m., then spread to the two-story house, causing heavy damage.
Firefighters extinguished the fire in about 40 minutes.
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No one was found in the house, although a man was reportedly living there.
Fire investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set and damage to the home was estimated to be $640,000.
The house was recently put up for sale, neighbors said.
Zillow.com listed the price for the house at $1 million.
