RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Firefighters put out hot spots yesterday at a brush fire in the hills above Farrington Highway just past Camp Erdman in Mokuleia.
Fire imperils
Mokuleia homeFlames come within 40 yards
before being turned back by a
crew of Waialua firefighters
A Honolulu firefighter rushed home in "pure panic" as a Mokuleia brush fire came within 40 yards of the house yesterday.
Kimo Lyman, who pilots a fire boat in Honolulu Harbor, was spending his day off in his workshop a few miles from home when his wife and daughter called to tell him about the flames approaching their Farrington Highway home.
"It was just pure panic," he said. "I broke the law and sped down the highway home."
Lyman arrived home to see flames more than 6 feet high near his home. But he was happy to see that his friends from the Waialua fire station were already there. "They came quick and were on it," he said. "Waialua (station) is the best."
His wife, Victoria, said she knew her family was in good hands. "I was thinking that it was going to be OK because I have great faith in the Fire Department," she said.
Firefighters were just happy to help one of their own, said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Lyman family handed out water and juice to firefighters battling yesterday's brush fire. Victoria Lyman, left, and daughter Aleui talked with Waialua firefighter O.J. Midgett in the Lymans' driveway as Bear the dog stood watch. Firefighters also saved the Lymans' home from a brush fire eight years ago.
Fire officials said hot spots from a pre-dawn brush fire near Kaena Point at the end of Farrington Highway flared up just before 1 p.m.
The Lyman house is the only residence in the area. Officials said no property was damaged, and by 5 p.m. the fire was 95 percent under control. The blaze burned 15 acres. Fire officials are unsure of the cause.
Fire tanker trucks were called because there is no hydrant nearby, and fire helicopters dumped water on the property, said Kimo Lyman. Mom and daughter focused on rounding up the dogs, cats, parrots and rabbits, and they saved chickens from flames just feet away.
"I was scared, and I was amazed at how fast the fire was moving," said the Lymans' 16-year-old daughter, Aleui. "There was so much smoke -- you would look up to the sky and see pure smoke."
This is not the first time a fire has threatened the Lyman home. Eight years ago to the day, fireworks started a brush fire that burned near the house. Again, firefighters helped put out the flames before it damaged the house.
"Yes, it's really ironic that this has happened before, but we are just so lucky," said Victoria.
Of yesterday's fire, Aleui added: "We're so happy that Dad (came) home and that he knows fires.
"I think we are very lucky. Someone is watching over us."
