Man Charged with Arson in Ocean View Fire

James M. Thomas. HPD photo.

An Ocean View man has been charged with arson following a house fire Tuesday in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, 38-year-old James M. Thomas was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree terroristic threatening, and four counts of second-degree reckless endangering. His bail was set at $64,000.

Thomas is being held at the Kona police cellblock pending his initial court appearance, scheduled for Friday.

Ka’u District officers responded to a fire on the 92-8200 block of Bamboo Lane in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Upon arrival, officers found that the home, which was occupied by Thomas and his family, was deemed a total loss.

Authorities say an investigation led to the determination that Thomas intentionally started the fire while two women and two teenage boys were inside. No one was injured.

Damage to the home is estimated to be $145,000.

Police arrested Thomas at the scene and took him to the Kona cellblock.