Cause of deadly Kapahulu fire unknown

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Fire and police officials today will resume their investigation into the cause of a fire that killed a 22-year-old man in Kapahulu early yesterday.

Two women, described as sisters of Ian Cruz' girlfriend, broke down after learning that Cruz was killed in yesterday's house fire in Kapahulu. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Forty firefighters from 10 fire companies responded to the 4:45 a.m. alarm at 3145 Duval St. and had the fire under control at 5:08 a.m., said Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.

During a search of the home, rescuers found the body of the 22-year-old man, identified by friends as Ian Cruz. Fire officials believed he was trying to escape through the front door but couldn't get out in time.

"It was a fast-burning fire," Soo said. "One man woke up and was able to get out. He didn't know his roommate was home."

The survivor, identified by friends as Eric Pisaro, awoke to the smell of smoke and ran out of the burning house yelling for help, Soo said. Pisaro told fire officials that he went to sleep before his roommate came home and had no idea that his roommate was still inside the burning house.

Pisaro and Cruz, college students from Guam, had been renting the house with another man for more than a year, according to friends. Cruz had attended Hawai'i Pacific University and formerly worked at Tower Records in Kahala Mall, said friend Brandon Gabriel.

The fire at 3145 Duval St. in Kapahulu was reported at 4:45 a.m. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

American Red Cross officials and friends offered help to Pisaro, who was escorted from the scene with a group of friends and his uncle.

Fire officials believe the fire started in the living room or kitchen.

Kincaid said he awoke to sounds of "loud pops" possibly from electrical lines and heard one "big explosion" when the fire trucks arrived. He said the flames reflected off his windows and illuminated his apartment.

"The fire lit up this whole area," Kincaid said. "The flames were about 30 feet in the air, just billowing out."

It's unclear if the home had a smoke alarm, Soo said. Neighbors heard smoke alarms but they weren't sure what house it was coming from.

Damage was estimated at $210,000 to the structure, $40,000 in contents and $30,000 to a rear cottage, Soo said.

Neighboring homes at 3403 Campbell Ave. and 3141 Duval St. had $1,500 and $15,000 in damage, respectively.

It was the second fire fatality this year and the first person killed in a building fire, Soo said. In August, a 20-year-old man died after he was severely burned during a flash fire at an auto body shop near the airport.