Firefighters from the Wailupe station responded to the 3:34 a.m. alarm in four minutes and found the wooden structure at 5743 Kalaniana'ole Hwy. engulfed by flames. Companies from Palolo, Hawai'i Kai, Kaimuki and Waikiki assisted in the firefight, which was reported under control at 3:58 a.m.

A key factor was keeping the fire from spreading to a neighboring home. The two homes are separated by 30 feet of empty space and a hedge, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. "The open space and hedge helped us contain the fire to one structure," Tejada said.

Damage to the gutted home is estimated at $150,000 to the structure and $35,000 to contents. The adjoining residence sustained exposure damage estimated at $8,000.

A woman who lived in the gutted home was awakened by the fire in another room, said Tejada. She awoke her father in another room but as the two were making their way out of the house, the man get back to his room to get something, Tejada added. The woman made her way to safety through a side door and her father escaped from his bedroom window.

The American Red Cross is assisting the fire victims.