MAKIKI — Larry Fair had come to Hawai'i to rebuild his life after a life-altering car accident that left him suffering from fibromyalgia.

For the past year and a half, he rented a bedroom in a Makiki home that neighbors likened to a boarding house. For the most part it suited his needs, said his son, Joshua Fair.

It was where the 58-year-old computer repairman and wedding videographer died in an early-morning blaze Thursday, still in his bed, said Joshua Fair.

Fair was one of two people killed in the fire — the first fatal blaze of the year in Honolulu.

Friends and family identified the second victim as Khristy Ray Sasaki Bartlett, 38, another renter in the multilevel home at 2069 Mauna Place.

The cause of death for the two was determined yesterday to be "inhalation of smoke and products of combustion," according to the medical examiner. Toxicology results for the two were not available.

"It's hard to believe it happened," Joshua Fair said. "I would like to know what happened exactly. My dad's pretty mellow, low-key guy. Whatever happened here he kept it to himself. He's not the kind to get involved with other people."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and will likely not be determined until next week, said Fire Capt. Terry Seelig, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.

Fire officials said the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Bartlett's body was found in an upstairs hallway and Fair was found in his room.

Three members of the family that owned the house — H.R.H. Fleur, her daughter and grandson — escaped the fire that began at 12:20 a.m. Thursday. Three other tenants also lived at the home, but were not there when the fire started.

Fire investigators were at the house yesterday, walking around the perimeter and talking to neighbors.

Honolulu Police Lt. Bill Kato said no charges have been filed, pending final results from the autopsy and fire investigators.

Throughout the day in the quiet neighborhood, people drove by the one-lane road, some slowing to examine the charred remains of the home that some called the pink palace. Others stopped by to wish the family their condolences. A city building inspector walked around the home getting a firsthand view of the damage.

Before 8 a.m. two flower memorials were placed at the base of the carport's charred four-by-four pillars. One memorial was tied to the pillar with yellow ribbon. Another consisted of a Hawaiian flower bouquet. Joshua placed a red rose next to it.

Fleur, the landlord, said she believes that Bartlett had seven children. Bartlett had been married twice, she said, noting that her estranged husband, Stephen Bartlett, came around often. In fact, he came around so often — and so did two of her children — that Fleur had recently discussed with her son, Gary Hughes, that perhaps she should charge Bartlett more rent, Hughes said.

Yesterday, Hughes said that before the fire, he was awakened by arguments and the door slamming. Much of the ruckus was over the recent theft of a moped that Stephen Bartlett had used, Hughes said.

"He used to leave the moped by the garage with the keys in the ignition," said Hughes, who lives next door. "I told him a week ago or so not to do that."

The night of the fire, Khristy Bartlett appeared to be intoxicated, Hughes said. "She was kind of out of control the night of the fire. She was yelling and screaming and slamming doors."

Hughes told her to quiet down about an hour before the fire broke out and he went to bed. The next thing he heard was his mother and sister yelling "fire, fire. Get out."

"I saw flames coming out," Hughes said. "I ran to my nephew's room and I went inside. But it got too hot for me. So many flames. I started spraying my house and my mom's house."

His parents purchased the home in the 1970s, he said. After his parents divorced, his mom kept the house and for the past 20 years she's been renting out rooms. Despite records of violations with the city Department of Planning and Permitting, one in 1999 and another in 2007, the house was up to code, Hughes said. His mother recently invested $4,500 in a retaining wall.

"My mom is doing OK, considering she has nothing but the clothes on her back," Hughes said. "She's dealing with it. She's been through a lot."

The American Red Cross put Fleur and her family up in a hotel for two nights. Her son was busy yesterday calling the bank and getting access to bank accounts and making calls to the insurance company.

"I have nothing left," said Fleur, 77. "Not even shoes. I had to borrow something from my son."

Fleur said that Larry Fair had been angry with her because she refused to let him use his security deposit for the last month's rent.

Joshua Fair, who lives in Kalihi, didn't know anything about an argument, but he knew his dad had wanted to find another place to live. He paid $750 to $800 a month in rent.

He learned about his dad's death in the fire from his sister, after authorities in Hawai'i contacted his grandparents in Indianapolis.

"I just want to know the truth of whatever did happen," Joshua Fair said. "I just want people to remember my dad for the man he was, a great father, a great friend.

"Remember to love your family," he said. "Love your friends because you never know when you'll get a call at 2 a.m. telling you that you have lost your father or a loved one. This is a testament to how short life is and that you need to cherish each day you have with your loved ones."