Updated at 11:01 p.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Electrical problem blamed for house fire
Advertiser Staff
Electrical failure in an outlet caused the fire that destroyed a wooden, one-story Kailua home rented by "Lost" actress and recent Golden Globe nominee Evangeline Lilly and two other women, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman said last night.Capt. Kenison Tejada estimated that the fire, which ignited in a lanai area, caused $250,000 in structural damages, and $50,000 in damages to contents.
No one was home when the fast-moving fire started at about 6:30 a.m.
Some 30 firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 6:43 a.m., and arrived within six minutes. The fire was under control by 7:17 a.m. But as late 8:30 a.m., firefighters were dousing hot spots in the home's smoldering roof and floorboards. Fire investigators arrived on the scene shortly afterward to sift through the charred remains.
The early-morning fire at 684 Iana St. woke up the quiet Kailua neighborhood where Lilly lives, and some neighbors were initially concerned the actress was still inside the burning home.
"Lost" was filming at Waialua Beach yesterday morning and one of Lilly's roommates, who works on the set, returned briefly to the home after the flames were out. She assured firefighters Lilly was safe, but declined further comment.
