The 3:26 a.m. fire apparently started when the electrical line was pinched by sagging, termite-eaten floor beams and the resulting arcing generated sufficient heat to ignite the deteriorated wooden beams, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig.

Flames from the ignited beams under the single-story, four-bedroom wooden house burned through a bedroom floor and extended into the house, added Seelig.

HFD companies performed a quick fire attack and confined the flames to the bedroom, Seelig said.

However, smoke and heat spread throughout the house causing additional damage, Seelig added.

Damage is estimated at $230,000 to the structure and $20,000 to the contents.

The house was built in 1941 and was occupied by two residents and a family dog. The residents were alerted to the fire by the sound of the arcing electrical line and the smell of smoke and were able to escape the fire without injury.