Fire evacuates downtown building

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

When fire alarms sounded at the Century Square building this afternoon, some of those working in offices in the multi-story building thought building management was holding some sort of drill, and decided just to keep an eye on things.

Firefighters respond to a fire at 1188 Bishop St. today. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The building was evacuated as smoke began to spread through the hallways on the 22nd floor and a second alarm was called in to the Fire Department.

Battalion Chief Paul Gerard said the sprinkler system had quickly extinguished the blaze, however, before firefighters arrive on the floor that was affected.

HFD worked this afternoon to remove the water that poured from the sprinkler system and flooded the 22nd floor, as well as the 18th through 21st.

John Black, an architect on the 14th floor, said water was cascading down the building's 'ewa staircases at his level when he when realized the alarm was real and decided to exit the building. He used the Diamond Head stairs.