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The Honolulu Advertiser

Fire destroys Mililani home
Fire destroys Mililani home
Pastor's daughter slightly injured; Kamehameha highway briefly closed

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writers

MILILANI — The daughter of a Mililani church pastor was slightly injured when a fire broke out yesterday at the pastor's home, prompting the temporary closure of busy Kamehameha Highway.

The two-story, five-bedroom house at 94-021 Mahau Place is owned by the Samoan Congregational Church of Mililani and is used to house the Rev. Iosia Evile and his family, said one of the church's deacons, Vevesi Lemafa.

The injured woman was treated by city paramedics for smoke inhalation and minor burns, said Bryan Cheplic of the city Emergency Services Department.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation last night, fire Capt. Terry Seelig said. Damage was estimated at $850,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the contents.

The Rev. Evile was in Samoa yesterday while his adult daughter and her husband were staying at the house, Lemafa said. Evile lives in the home with his wife, son and another daughter, Lemafa said.

Four people were outside the burning building when firefighters responded to the 9:15 a.m. call, Seelig said.

A second alarm was sounded minutes later, bringing a total of five engines, two ladders and 35 firefighters to the blaze.

Kamehameha Highway was briefly closed in both directions south of Meheula Parkway.

The fire caused the center-rear portion of the house to collapse, and smoke continued to pour out of the roof from a smoldering attic two hours after the initial call.

Firefighters poured foam and water from a ladder truck to reach hot spots in the attic, Seelig said.

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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