Posted on: Sunday, February 17, 2002

Candle causes Big Island fire

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Two Big Island families escaped injury yesterday after a fire broke out in their two-story house in Paradise Park.

Four adults and four children fled the structure after flames erupted around 6 a.m., fire officials said.

The fire was caused by an unattended candle left burning in a back bedroom of the house on 31st Avenue, they said.

It took 21 firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze, which left the second floor a total loss. The first floor was saved, but it sustained water damage.

The officials estimated damage to the structure and its contents at $120,000.