Big Island police have arrested a Puna man in connection with a suspicious fire Friday.
At 10:48 a.m. Friday, patrol officers and Fire Department personnel responded to a structure fire at Alulu Road and Ooaa Road in Hawaiian Acres. The fire was extinguished, but not before causing extensive damage to the structure. A Fire Department investigator determined the fire was suspicious, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Investigation by Area I Criminal Investigations Section detectives led to the arrest Monday at 1:30 p.m. of 26-year-old Justin James Clark of Kurtistown. He is being held at the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of arson while detectives continue the investigation with the assistance of a fire inspector.
Anyone with information about this case should call Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or email him at wcarter@hawaiicounty.gov. Witnesses may also call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.