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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, February 26, 2010

McCully fire leaves 18 without home


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

An early-morning fire caused extensive damage to an apartment building at the corner of Hauoli and Nanea streets.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Police closed portions of several streets in the neighborhood because of the fire.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

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An early-morning fire that destroyed a four-unit apartment building in McCully was determined to be intentionally set, the Honolulu Fire Department said Friday.
HFD said the fire was classified as incendiary and the case has been referred to the Honolulu Police Department.

The building is on 760 Hauoli St., across Lunalilo Elementary School.
Fire Capt Terry Seelig said four families — a total of 18 people — lived in the two-story building and that everyone got out safely. The Red Cross was offering assistance.
Seelig said firefighters responded at 3:40 a.m. and saw smoke and flames coming from the second-floor units. Five engines, two ladders, one rescue unit and a battalion chief were needed to fight the fire.
Seelig said firefighters from the McCully station were able to use the department’s new compressed air foam system to knock down the fire and keep it from spreading.
“In cases like this, when the destruction has already been done, we’re just trying to contain the fire,” Seelig said. “If it had spread it could have collapsed the structure.”
Seelig said the second-floor units were destroyed while first-floor units sustained water damage.
Seelig said there was no damage to houses adjoining the apartment.
He said firefighters had the blaze under control shortly after 4 and declared it extinguished about 5:20.
Police closed portions of several streets in the neighborhood while firefighters battled the blaze.