The fire department has determined that a malfunction in an electrical outlet caused a fire that destroyed an Onipa'a Street house yesterday morning.

The fire began in the bottom-floor den of the two-story, single-family home. Damage was estimated at $450,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the contents.

The fire started about 4:30 a.m. It destroyed the home and left four people homeless. There was no damage to property on either side of the house.

Firefighters battled the two-alarm fire with five engines, two ladders, and a battalion chief, totaling about 35 firefighters. The fire was brought under control by 5 a.m. and extinguished by 6 a.m.

Two residents were home at the time of the fire and escaped without injury. The other two residents were away on a trip.