Updated at 12:20 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2001

House fire in Waimanalo started in bedroom

By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Firefighters work to put out a blaze that engulfed a Nalu Street residence in Waimanalo. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

The fire that destroyed a Waimanalo house yesterday began in a bedroom, fire officials said today. The cause of the fire still has not been determined.

The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time the first firefighters arrived at 6 a.m.

"The whole house was catching fire," said Sandy Armstrong, a Nalu Street resident. "Then it was just gone."

Wes Parker, who lives across the street, was on his way to work when he and his girlfriend, Leah Kualii, saw smoke coming from the front door and windows.

Kualii called 911 while Parker ran into the burning home. Another neighbor, Lane Naihe, started to spray the house with a water hose.

"I didn't think. I just ran in to see if anyone was still in the house and if they needed any help," said Parker, 31.

Firefighters declared the fire under control by 6:20 a.m., and extinguished the fire at 9:04 a.m.

The blaze did an estimated $175,000 damage to the structure, and an estimated $80,000 damage to the house's contents. Three vehicles on the property also were consumed by the blaze.

Red Cross volunteers met with the family yesterday, providing assistance for immediate needs, including temporary shelter.

No one was injured, but eight people were left homeless by the fire, which gutted the home's interior and collapsed the roof.

The fire department sent five engines, two ladders and 28 firefighters to the 5:53 a.m. alarm at 41-175 Nalu St., said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Rich ard Soo.

Three women were asleep in the back extension when the fire broke out in one of the bedrooms.

"I didn't wake up until the neighbor started yelling from the window, 'Get out!'" said Maile Maka li'i, 38. "The flame was burning so high, we tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher."

Makali'i, her sister, Melissa Miyamura, and her aunt, Rebecca Kauo, ran out to the front of the house when their attempts failed.

"Our neighbor came into the house and told us, 'Auntie, gotta get out already,' " Makali'i said.

When the flames were out, Makali'i, Kauo and Miyamura, still in pajamas, huddled together as white smoke rose from the wreckage.

"We're in shock right now, and we don't want to look over there," Miyamura said, tilting her head toward the charred remains. "In reality I can see it burned down, but I just can't believe it."

Makali'i works in the medical records department at the Waimanalo Health Center, which set up a special account for the family. Contributions can be deposited at any American Savings Bank for the Waimanalo Fire Victims Fund, account number 80009-24531.

Donations of canned goods and clothes or gift certificates are being taken at American Savings Bank's Hawai'i Kai branch and at the Waimanalo Health Center. For more information, call Greig Gaspar at the health center at 259-7948, ext. 136.