Damage at $320K in Kalama house fire
Popping noises wake up the family living there, helping them flee unharmed
Firefighters extinguished a Kalama Valley blaze early yesterday morning that caused about $320,000 in damage to one house but caused no injuries.
Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said about 35 firefighters responded to the 5:11 a.m. alarm at 1222 Honokahua Place within nine minutes and brought the fire under control 10 minutes later.
A family of four was home at the time. The mother woke up to popping sounds, gathered up her family and evacuated them to safety, Seelig said. A couple with two young daughters live at the residence, neighbors said.
"I could see little sparks and smoke going up," said neighbor Joanna Onsrud, who added that the family told her the fire burned the living room area toward the back of the 35-year-old home.
A neighbor on another side of the house said she was wakened by a cracking sound.
"I thought it was raining," said Mary Jean Bresnan. "I looked out of the bedroom window, and all I could see was a glow from the back yard."
The homeowners declined to be interviewed.
Fire inspectors estimated damage to contents at $70,000.
The cause of the fire still had not been determined, Seelig said.
The American Red Cross said it is assisting with the family's immediate needs.