Fire investigators said a predawn fire yesterday that destroyed a house and damaged five others in Liliha was intentionally set, and the case was turned over to police.

No one was hurt in the 2:33 a.m. fire that started in a one-story wooden house at 1908-A Liliha St.

"Three people were at home at the time of the fire: an adult female and adult male as well as a 2-year-old child," fire department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said. "They were able to make it safely out of the house."

The Red Cross was helping the residents with shelter and other needs.

Tejada said the fire gutted the home and also caused damage to five other homes. The attic of one of the adjacent homes caught fire, he said.

"About two-thirds of the ceiling in the (adjacent) home had to be pulled down so firefighters could get at the fire," Tejada said.

The fire was declared under control about 3:05 a.m. At its peak, about three dozen firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze, Tejada said.

Later yesterday morning, two people were taken to a hospital with serious burns from a house fire in the Honokai Hale subdivision of Leeward O'ahu.

Firefighters were sent about 6:10 a.m. to a home at 92-391 Waiomea St.

They arrived there within four minutes and declared the blaze under control 20 minutes later.

A 45-year-old woman who lives in the home was taken by city paramedics to Straub Clinic for treatment of first- and second-degree burns over 40 percent of her body. A man estimated to be in his 40s was also taken to Straub for treatment of first- and second-degree burns to his hands and arms. Both were reported to be in serious condition upon their arrival at the hospital.

Tejada said the Honokai Hale fire damaged a split-level, single-family home.

"As far as we know, there were four people living in the structure," Tejada said. "The main fire damage was limited to a bedroom, with some smoke damage to the rest of the level. Some water seeped down to the lower level.

"The two other adults who live in the home and who were not injured said they would be able to find shelter for themselves so the American Red Cross is not assisting them at this time," Tejada said.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com.