Chinatown fire draws a crowd

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

The fire at the Esquire Theater in Chinatown produced thick gray smoke and flames that witnesses said soared as high as 20 feet. Mark A. Lane • Special to The Advertiser

Witnesses to the 5:45 p.m. fire said thick gray smoke poured from the rear of the building at 32 N. Hotel St. before it burst into flames that soared as high as 20 feet.

HFD Capt. Emmit Kane said the fire was under control at 7:49 p.m. but was not extinguished.

"What made this fire stubborn was that part of the floor as well as part of the roof collapsed," said Kane, who added that there were no injuries. No estimate of damage was available last night at press time.

Chinatown sidewalks were jammed with hundreds of people who stopped to watch the fire.

Police closed the surrounding streets, including Hotel, Maunakea, Bethel and Smith streets.

Jason Song, 9, left, and his brother, Stanley, 8, were among hundreds of people who stopped to watch the fire. Rebecca Breyer • Special to The Advertiser

Restaurant co-owner David Chang said he and his customers were asked to leave the building for safety reasons. "The firefighter said we need to evacuate just in case maybe the building blow up," he said.

Chang said he smelled what he thought to be electrical wires burning and went out back to check. After seeing smoke gushing from metal ducts and not hearing any sirens from approaching fire trucks, he had someone call 911.

The restaurant will lose about $2,000 to $3,000 in business because of the fire, Chang said.

Tina Dean said she left a tasty dinner including a pork dish and orange chicken. She wasn't sure if she would be able to finish her meal before heading off to see a show at Hawai'i Theatre at 8 p.m.

Witnesses reported hearing two small explosions as the fire broke out.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.