Waipahu apartment fire leaves 12 homeless

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

WAIPAHU — Twelve people were left homeless last night after a fire heavily damaged two apartment units at 94-333 Pupu'ole St. in Waipahu. No one was seriously injured in the two-alarm fire.

"Anytime there is a fire and everybody gets out without injury or serious incident, it's always a blessing," Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said.

Damage was estimated at $60,000 to the building and its contents.

What caused the fire was not immediately known.

The fire began at 7:35 p.m. in a bedroom of a first-floor apartment. Firefighters brought it under control at 8:09 p.m. Eight people lived in the three-bedroom unit.

There was heavy smoke damage to the apartment directly above. Its four occupants also are homeless.

All residents of the eight-unit, four-story building evacuated safely.

Kane said three people were treated at the scene for smoke irritation but did not require hospitalization.

The American Red Cross was assisting the residents.