Fires destroy Kalihi, Kailua homes

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu firefighters had their hands full yesterday fighting back-to-back fires in Kalihi and Kailua that left two families homeless.

Geedale Faatoafe of Waipahu helped hose down his friend's home in Kalihi yesterday after a blaze that apparently was started by a 3-year-old playing with a butane barbecue lighter. The family of five was left homeless. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

There were no injuries at 1506-C Amelia St., where Tisega and Honolulu Taliulu lived with their two daughters, ages 9 and 6, and one son, age 3. The fire destroyed the family's one-story, three-bedroom home.

Tejada said the blaze was apparently started around noon by the 3-year-old, who set a comforter on fire with a butane barbecue lighter. The fire engulfed the home within minutes, witnesses said, but the mother, son and a visiting relative escaped without injuries. The father and two daughters were not home at the time.

Seven engines and 35 Honolulu firefighters had the fire under control by 12:18 p.m. Tejada estimated the damage to the home and its contents at $150,000.

The Kailua fire, at 477 Aulima Loop, began around 1:15 p.m., Tejada said. The one-story, three-bedroom home was the residence of a woman in her late 30s, her daughter, 20, and a son, 17.

Tejada said no one was home at the time of the fire, but a cleaning woman — who discovered the fire and called 911 — was slightly injured when she fell while rescuing the family's two dogs. The woman was treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Services workers.

Tejada said the cause of the Kailua fire, which destroyed about 70 percent of the house, is under investigation. Damage was estimated at $180,000 to building and contents.

The American Red Cross responded to both fires to offer food, clothing and shelter to the homeless families.