Posted on: Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Fire destroys house in 'Ewa

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Fire gutted a home in 'Ewa Villages yesterday afternoon, but no one was injured.

More than 10 fire units responded to the blaze at 91-1735 Leialoalo St. in Varona Village. The fire was reported at about 12:15 p.m. and brought under control at 1:08 p.m.

The old, plantation-style house was occupied by a 72-year-old woman and her 48-year-old granddaughter, said HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo. No one was at home at the time of the fire, but two relatives living nearby tried to extinguish the blaze using a garden hose, Soo said.

Fire crews had a difficult time accessing the burning home because several concrete pillars were placed along side streets in Varona Village as part of a city redevelopment project in the area, according to Soo.

The closest fire hydrant also was at least 200 yards away along Renton Road. Fire trucks had to fill their water tanks at the hydrant then transport the water to the fire, Soo said. "From what we are told, the redevelopment of the area will include an improved hydrant system," he added.

Damage is estimated at $100,000 to the house and $200,000 to its contents.