DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Several Brigham Young University-Hawaii students watched yesterday as firemen mopped up a fire that destroyed their neighbor's house on Naupaka Street in Laie.

Laie Point house fire
torches 2-story rental unit

Fire officials estimate that the fire
caused $410,000 in damage

---

Star-Bulletin staff

Three people are homeless after a fire gutted their home at Laie Point yesterday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 55-072 Naupaka St. at about 3:07 p.m.

Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said the two-story structure is a rental unit.

A woman who lives on the first floor and a woman from the second floor were home when the fire started but escaped without injury, Tejada said. A man who lives on the second floor was not home.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Firemen worked on dousing smoldering embers.

Nancy Wood, a Brigham Young University-Hawaii student who lives near the home, said, "Within five minutes it was taking over the whole house."

Firefighters brought the fire under control at 3:56 p.m. Fire officials estimated damage to the structure and contents at $410,000.

Tejada said the fire started in a bedroom on the ground floor; however, the cause is still being investigated.

The American Red Cross is assisting the three residents with living arrangements.