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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cause of Pearl City house fire undetermined


Advertiser Staff

The cause of an early-morning Pearl City house fire where 10 people lived was undetermined, according to firefighters.

The 1 a.m. fire at 1277 Kipaipai Street damaged the townhome and caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the building and $3,000 to the contents, said Honolulu Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha.
After spending the day at the house, fire investigators found several potential causes for the fire but couldn't narrow it down to just one cause, Kealoha said.
The damage was mainly limited to an upstairs bedroom. When firefighters arrived two male occupants were dousing the flames using water from inside the home and with a garden hose from outside. Both men were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by Emergency Medical Services personnel. The men refused to be taken to an emergency room for further assessment, Kealoha said.
Ten people live in the home, seven adults and three children, he said. Two of the children were not at home when the fire started. Neighbors smelled smoke and woke up the residents before firefighters arrived.
When firefighters arrived they extinguished the fire, ventilated the townhome and checked for any further fire extension in the ceiling of the building. The American Red Cross' attempt to offer help was declined by the residents of the townhome, officials said.
Some smoke detectors were present in the townhome, firefighters said.