Clothing racks in the junior departments were set on fire in both cases. The Liberty House fire caused extensive smoke and water damage and forced the evacuation of several dozen people. A cashier told police that a female customer, about 16-19 years old, was acting suspiciously in the area where yesterday's fire started. Richard Soo said no one was injured but that 22 employees and about 20 customers had to be evacuated after smoke filled both floors of the building on 573 Kailua Road. Damage had not yet been assessed, but an activated sprinkler head kept the fire confined, Soo said.
Arson investigators say both fires appear to have been ignited by direct flame.