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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Short circuit blamed in Tantalus house fire

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A fire that destroyed a Tantalus home Sunday was caused by an short circuit in a wall outlet, investigators have determined.

The fire at 3860 Round Top Drive was reported at 11:45 a.m. and brought under control at 12:10 p.m. The two-story home belonged to the Brash family estate and was rented to two men.

The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage. HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said the origin was traced to an electrical outlet in the home's master bedroom.

Meanwhile, investigators yesterday continued to sift through the rubble of two Kane'ohe homes that were destroyed by a fire late Friday night.

A third home on Makalani Street also was heavily damaged and considered a total loss.

Soo said the fire may have begun in a laundry room between two of the homes, but the investigation was continuing. The fire caused more than $500,000 in damage to the three homes.

Eighteen people were left homeless in the Kane'ohe fire, while the two Tantalus men also had to find alternate housing. No one was injured in either of the fires.