Electrical failure likely cause of Kaimuki fire

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

An electrical failure is believed to have caused the fire that did substantial damage to a Kaimuki home Wednesday night and left 92-year-old William Gomes in the intensive care unit at Straub Clinic and Hospital.

Firefighters have ruled out accidental or malicious causes for the fire. Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said two electrical cords have been sent to a lab for testing.

"It looks like some kind of electrical failure or overload," Kane said.

Damage to the home and its contents was estimated at $300,000, Kane said.

Late yesterday, Gomes remained in the intensive care unit at Straub after being pulled unconscious from the burning home at 3614 McCorriston St.

Firefighters said that when they arrived Wednesday night the front of the home was engulfed in flames and they were told that a man was still inside.

They found him on the floor in the rear of the house and he was taken to the hospital. His son, who suffered a foot injury, also was hospitalized.

A neighbor, Ken Wright, said he was at home when his son said he smelled smoke at about 9:50 p.m.

He said he and several neighbors helped Gomes' son Bobby out a window. Bobby then told them that his father was still inside.

Wright said neighbors attempted to go into the burning home, but the heat and smoke were too intense.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.