'Alewa Heights fire destroys cottage

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A fire destroyed a two-bedroom cottage on 'Alewa Heights last night, but there were no reports of injuries.

The cottage was behind a main house at 1273 'Alewa Drive. The two-alarm fire was reported at 7:16 p.m. and brought under control about 15 minutes later.

The fire caused about $130,000 in damage to the building and its contents. Investigators will return to the cottage today to determine the cause of the fire, said Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.

Charles Cohoon, 30, has rented the house for about seven months. He said he left the house at about 7 to go to the store and returned to see his home on fire.

"When I came back, the flames were already out the window, and they were about 20 to 30 feet high by the time the firemen got here," Cohoon said.

A 77-year-old woman who owns both houses said she heard explosions before seeing the cottage on fire. The woman, who did not want to be identified, lives alone in the two-bedroom main house.

"I was worried for (Cohoon) so I called and called, but the flames started to get worse. So I closed my door, called 911 and I ran," she said.

The main house had some smoke damage, Soo said.

The Red Cross was called to assist Cohoon. The homeowner was expected to stay with relatives.

Soo said fire crews had some problems getting to the property because of the steep grade and narrow roadway.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.