2 Kauai fires hurt
woman, gut home

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By Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.com

LIHUE >> A Wailua family of seven was left homeless Thursday by a fire apparently started by a 2-year-old boy playing with matches.

Separately, a Kapaa woman was flown to Straub Clinic & Hospital yesterday for treatment for burns suffered in a Tuesday house fire caused by an exploding propane tank. She was reported in stable condition yesterday.

Firefighters said there were no injuries in Thursday's fire in the Wailua Homesteads. The fire started in some curtains. Damage was estimated at $210,000.

The name of the family was not released. Fire officials said the 45-year-old homeowner and his 2-year-old son were the only ones home at the time of the blaze, which was reported at 10:46 a.m.

Red Cross officials said the family includes seven members, including the couple who own the home, four children ranging in age from 2 to 13, and the children's grandmother.

Alfred Darling, Red Cross Kauai branch manager, said the family is being housed at a Kauai hotel. Their rooms, meals and other needs are being paid for by donations to the Red Cross, he said.

"We're providing them with mental health services. On Monday we will begin contacting social service agencies to provide more help for them," Darling said.

Meanwhile, Renee Barretto, 44, was flown to Straub yesterday from Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kauai. She suffered first- and second-degree burns over 50 percent of her body when fumes from a leaking propane tank were ignited by the pilot light on a gas water heater, the Kauai Fire Department said.

Fire officials said she was walking by the propane tank when it exploded. Her husband, Dennis Barretto, was not home at the time of the fire. The Red Cross said he accompanied his wife to Straub yesterday.

The fire caused an estimated $185,000 damage to the home.