A 78-year-old woman covers her face and waves to firefighters from the 25th floor of Kapiolani Manor. A fire broke out in a nearby apartment shortly before 9 a.m. The woman was later transported in serious condition to Straub Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. GREGORY YAMAMOTO I The Honolulu Advertiser

Three people were taken to hospitals, two of them in serious condition. The condition status for one of those individuals, a 96-year-old woman, was changed to critical this afternoon.

The fire gutted a single apartment unit, officials said. Firefighters are continuing to check for additional damages.

The unit's two occupants were reportedly not in the apartment when the fire was reported at 8:49 a.m.

Firefighters were checking a report that an occupant said he had left candles burning in the apartment this morning.

See scenes from the fire in this video.

Seven fire engines and three ladder trucks responded to the fire, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.

With the nearest fire station situated about 100 yards from the highrise, firefighters were able to arrive at the scene within about three minutes, Seelig said.

Firefighters found the 96-year-old woman unresponsive in one of the manor's units and were reportedly able to revive her. The woman was then transported in serious condition by Honolulu Emergency Services officials to Straub Hospital.

The status of the woman's condition was changed this afternoon to critical.

A 78-year-old woman was transported in serious condition to Straub Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. And a 43-year-old woman was transported in stable condition to Kuakini Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

One man and two women were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and declined hospital treatment.