34 people homeless after fire
By Allison Schaefers
Advertiser Staff Writer
Investigators have not determined the cause of an early morning fire in Aliamanu Military Reservation yesterday that gutted an entire strip of apartments and displaced 12 military families.
Photo courtesy Sgt. Bradley Rhen
It took federal firefighters about two hours to extinguish the flames that broke out in the complex at Bougainvillea Loop around 4 a.m.
An apartment building on the Aliamanu Military Reservation sustained major damage in an early morning fire yesterday that left 34 people without housing.
A Federal Fire Department fire engine, which was based at the housing complex, arrived within three minutes of a 911 call from a resident and was joined by two other fire engines, said Capt. Kathy Turner, media liaison for the U.S. Army's 25th infantry.
"Everything went very smoothly," Turner said. "Everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing."
Firefighters helped evacuate 24 adults, 10 children and several pets from the military housing complex. There were no serious injuries. One man was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center where he was treated and released for smoke inhalation, Turner said.
Firefighters managed to rescue a cat living at the complex from the flames. The cat, who had recently been purchased from an animal shelter, had to be placed on oxygen but was otherwise unscathed, said Cassy Shinabarger, O'ahu public affairs leader for the American Red Cross.
"It was pretty bad," said Shinabarger, who was on the scene at about 6 a.m. "It looked like it started in the middle and the entire unit was gone."
The American Red Cross has responded to at least four fires at the complex in the past year, she said.
The investigation is in the most preliminary stages, Turner said. "There was so much structural damage to the quarters that investigators haven't been able to go inside them," she said. "We don't even know where the fire started yet."
Turner said authorities are thankful that firefighters were able to rapidly contain the fire and that flames didn't jump to nearby brush or other housing units.
The Army moved the families to a hotel and provided food and clothing for them. About 12 American Red Cross volunteers also assisted, Shinabarger said.
For clothing and household goods donations to family members, contact Schofield Barracks Army Community Services at 655-2400, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
