Posted on: Friday, June 28, 2002
Police Beat
High-rise fire puts renter in hospital
A 56-year-old man was in Straub Hospital in satisfactory condition after suffering first- and second-degree burns yesterday morning when fire gutted the 10th-floor studio apartment he rented in a Kapi'olani area high-rise.
Another man, who lived downstairs, was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation after smoke poured through the shattered windows, said Capt. Richard Soo, Fire Department spokesman.
Eight fire companies responded to the 2:48 a.m. alarm at Holiday Manor, a 16-story building at 1650 Kanunu St.
The fire was under control at 3:12 a.m., and the last company left the scene at 5:16 a.m.
Officials estimated damage at $60,000 to the structure and $5,000 to the contents.
The fire started because a heated pot of oil was left unattended, Soo said.
Maui authorities identify body
The body of a 34-year-old Wailuku man was recovered yesterday after he was spotted floating face down on the "Little Beach" end of Makena Beach.
Police identified the apparent drowning victim, discovered at about 6:30 p.m., as Charles D. Hurt. Witnesses reported seeing him swimming in the area 20 minutes before his body was found.
An autopsy has been ordered, according to Kihei police Sgt. Roger Duchane.
Pedestrian dies from injuries
A 75-year-old woman who was struck by a car Wednesday night near Pearl Harbor died yesterday of her injuries.
The identity of the woman was not released last night, but police said she was a Kalihi resident.
The woman was hit by a car as she attempted to cross Kamehameha Highway near the Makalapa Gate at about 6:20 p.m. Wednesday. Police said the woman had just gotten off a city bus and was not in a crosswalk.
Police said the driver of the car saw the woman but couldn't stop his vehicle in time. The driver, a 72-year-old Kalihi man, was not injured. An investigation into the accident was continuing.
Man killed in fall from building
Police last night were investigating the death of a man who fell from a Waikiki apartment building.
Investigators were trying to determine what caused the man to fall from an apartment at The Pavilion at 1925 Kalakaua Ave. The man landed on the sidewalk between Sizzler and Subway restaurants about 5:13 p.m.
Police temporarily closed the makai lane on Kalakaua Avenue.
Arsonist sought in Kailua fire
Police yesterday were looking for the driver of a white car that was seen speeding from a Kailua home yesterday minutes before the home caught fire.
The fire at 223 N. Kainalu Drive was reported at 2:54 p.m. Neighbors said they saw the car fleeing the scene and then noticed white smoke coming from the home, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
Soo described the incident as a "classic incendiary fire" because a flammable liquid was poured in each of the home's rooms. But he said whoever started the fire didn't open any windows, so the oxygen-starved fire did not spread throughout the house.
The three-bedroom home was renovated recently and its last tenants left two weeks ago, Soo said. Damage was estimated at $15,000.
Police Detective Robert Cravalho said neighbors got the car's license number and it was traced to a rental company. He said police also were investigating a report that the suspect may have called a television station yesterday afternoon and admitted starting the fire.
