U.S. ARMY PHOTO
A fire destroyed the three middle apartments in a three-story building on Bougainvillea Loop yesterday. End units suffered major damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. All families have been temporarily relocated to a hotel.
34 flee fire at
military housing12 Aliamanu families are
left homeless, but none are
hurt in the early morning blaze
Twelve military families are being temporarily housed in a hotel after a fire struck their apartment building early yesterday on the Aliamanu Military Reservation.
Federal firefighters fought the blaze for two hours before bringing it under control.
The fire began at about 4 a.m. yesterday at the three-story apartment complex at 1502 Bougainvillea Loop, and affected units A-L.
All 34 residents of the 12 units -- 24 adults and 10 children -- were immediately evacuated, according to an Army press release.
A man, who lived in the apartment where the fire started, was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to Tripler Army Medical Center and released, according to American Red Cross spokeswoman Cassy Shinabarger.
Volunteers from the Hawaii chapter of the Red Cross provided breakfast, water and personal items for the victims.
The Army has relocated the families and is providing them with food and clothing, and will provide compensation for household goods lost in the fire, according to the release. The Army will house the families in a hotel until they receive permanent housing.
Firefighters rescued two cats who were trapped inside the building, Shinabarger said. One of the cats was given oxygen by Emergency Medical Service personnel, she said.
Military officials would not allow news media in the area and would not describe the extent of the damage.
A photo taken by an Army photographer, however, shows the roof missing from the center portion of the building and extensive damage to the top-floor units.
Shinabarger, who was at the scene, said the three middle units of the building were destroyed and that the end units received major damage.
The Aliamanu Military Reservation's fire engine arrived in three minutes. Three other federal fire department trucks were called to assist, according to the Army press release.
Army spokeswoman Capt. Kathy Turner said she was unable to give the extent of the damage because an investigation by federal fire personnel is ongoing.
No estimate on the damage was available yesterday, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The affected residents included nine Army soldiers and three Marines, and their families, Turner said.
For the victims, "it's a huge shock" to lose everything, said Shinabarger.
Anyone wishing to contribute clothing and household items can contact Schofield Barracks Army Community Service at 655-2400.
