Arson Dogs Search For Ignitable Liquids in Marco Polo Unit Where Fire Started

A Fire Department official said the search does not necessarily mean there is a criminal element to the investigation.

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(AP) Fire investigators from the Big Island have arrived in Honolulu with an arson dog to search for ignitable liquids in the apartment where a deadly high-rise blaze broke out last week.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins said Tuesday the dog is searching unit 2602 where the fire began. He said the search does not necessarily mean there is a criminal element to their investigation.

The blaze killed three people in nearby apartments and injured a dozen others.

Fire and smoke pour out of the Marco Polo apartment building on Friday. Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat/2017

Jenkins said the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also helping to determine the cause of the fire.

Honolulu police said Monday the damaged apartments are not considered a crime scene. The fire department released the building around 1 a.m. Saturday, just hours after battling the flames Friday night.

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