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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:08 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Man hurt, loses home in Kalihi fire

Two men use garden hoses to wet down the roof of a neighboring structure next to a house on fire at Piliwai Street. Nine people lived at the home that was destroyed by the blaze.

Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

An 80-year-old man was injured today in a fire that destroyed a home at Piliwai Street in Kalihi Valley. Nine people lived in the home.

The injured man was taken to Straub Clinic & Hospital, where he was treated for first- and second-degree burns on his arms and head. The man owns the house at 2757 Piliwai St. where the 9:56 a.m. fire occurred.

Sue Rauch, an Emergency Medical Services field supervisor, said the man was outside when he noticed flames coming from the kitchen area of his home. He went back into the house to try to put out the fire, said Rauch. The burn on his head happened when his hat caught on fire, she added.

No other injuries were reported.

Firefighters reported the fire under control at 10:23 a.m. Nine fire companies responded.

Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said the injured man lived with his wife and adult granddaughter in a section of the house where the fire started.

A family of five, which includes three young children, and another woman lived in sections of the extended home that were rented out, said Tejada. The woman, who lives in the enclosed garage area, was also at home when the fire started.

The Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the nine people.