No injuries as fire destroys house in 'Aikahi

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two people were left homeless yesterday when a fire gutted their 'Aikahi home, while a firefighter managed to rescue the family's dog, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Eight fire companies found the house engulfed in flames when they arrived at 3:24 p.m., said Capt. Richard Soo. The blaze, at 203 'Ilihau St., was declared under control five minutes later, according to Soo.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which caused an estimated $250,000 in damage, Soo said.

Fire investigators said the fire appeared to have started in the ceiling of a bedroom wing, but they were still searching for clues. The Red Cross was called to help the family with lodging and clothing, Soo said.

James Belanger, 25, one of the residents of the home, said the fire damaged nearly everything. Belanger said he and his father, Paul, 55, lived there for about 15 years.

Newspaper carrier Nani Considine said: "I came around the corner and saw flames and smoke. Then I thought, 'Uh oh, the dog is in the house.' "

Firefighter David Yokoi found the family's Cavalier King Charles spaniel on the property and carried the dog from the burning house, said acting Battalion Chief Richard Faria.

Also yesterday, Soo said a fire that destroyed a Makiki apartment Wednesday night was likely caused by an electrical short circuit. He also said a fire that left six people homeless in Pearl City earlier that morning was caused by a child playing with a lighter.

The fire in an eighth-floor apartment at 1616 Liholiho St. appeared to have started in one of the two bedrooms in the unit, Soo said. Total damage was estimated at $120,000.

Earlier, a family of six escaped with their lives but little else when fire broke out at 1009 Luehu St. in a subdivision between the Pearl City library and police station.

Firefighters were called at 6:34 a.m. to the four-bedroom house. The fire began on a dresser in a downstairs bedroom shared by a husband and wife, 49 and 41, and their son, 6. Their 14-year-old daughter also lives in the house, as well as the wife's father, 70, and another 49-year-old woman who was asleep when the boy's shouts awakened her in her upstairs bedroom.

Damage was estimated at $75,000 to the structure and $25,000 to the contents.