Firefighters went up against two townhouse fires yesterday, one in 'Ewa Beach, the other in Wai'anae.

About 18 people were displaced in the fires, said HFD Capt. Jerry Spencer. Two people suffered minor injuries.

The 'Ewa Beach blaze started in the upper floor of a two-story townhouse at 91-627 Kilaha St., Spencer said. A mother and child who were home escaped safely. The townhouse also was home to three other adults, he said.

Firefighters were notified at 4:21 p.m. and had the fire under control by 4:45, just as the flames had begun to threaten a neighboring townhouse, he said.

The Red Cross helped the four adults and one child from the townhouse with housing, as well as four adults and three children from a neighboring unit damaged by the heat and smoke, Spencer said. One adult suffered minor cuts and bruises, he said.

A second townhouse fire was reported at 6:23 p.m. at 85-658 Farrington Highway in Wai'anae, Spencer said. The fire started in a bedroom and was brought under control by 6:27 p.m.

The Red Cross was helping one adult and five children find housing after that blaze, he said. One adult suffered slight smoke inhalation.

Reach Karen Blakeman at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.