FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Multiple Honolulu fire companies responded to this Kailua house fire at Kainui Drive yesterday afternoon.
Kailua crime site
is health hazardTwo women are allegedly stabbed
and doused with gasoline
Two Kailua women were critically injured yesterday, allegedly after a family member stabbed one of them and doused them both with gasoline before setting them afire in their home, according to witnesses and investigators.
Neighbors said the women ran out of their house at 1214 Kainui Drive about 5:30 p.m. yesterday, suffering from burns. One woman also had stab wounds, neighbors said. The sisters-in-law, one in her 40s and one in her 50s, were taken to the Queen's Medical Center.
Police said they were seeking a male suspect.
"Another family member had assaulted the victim with a sharp instrument. He is about 20 years old and we believe him to be the son of one of the victims," police Lt. David Kamai said.
The suspect was still on the loose last night. Police are investigating the case as attempted murder.
Police said they could not confirm the victims were doused with gasoline. However, a Fire Department source confirmed the information.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Chlorine stored inside the home created dangerous fumes and forced the evacuation of several nearby homes.
"They had blistering skin, it looked like second-degree burns, on about 60 percent of their body," said neighbor Paul Zehngraff, who lives across the street. "Their legs and arms were burned and also a little on the face.
"One of them looked like they had three stab wounds, one in the neck and two in the chest.
"I saw one of them stumble out of the home and collapse on the median. ... We told them to come here to our yard and tried to make them comfortable."
Honolulu firefighters said besides being a crime scene, the house was also a health hazard. Chlorine used to clean swimming pools that was stored inside the home created dangerous fumes and forced the evacuation of several nearby homes. Traffic to the area was diverted.
Police said they could not start their investigation until the Fire Department and officials from the state Health Department determined it was safe, likely today.
The fire destroyed the house as well as a car parked in the driveway, with heat so intense it melted the car's tires. Damage was estimated at $310,000. A neighboring house at 1206 Kainui Drive suffered $60,000 in damages.
The Red Cross is assisting other residents of the home, which housed seven people. Their relationships were not immediately clear.
Neighbors said at a little before 5:30 p.m. they heard an explosion and then came outside to see what was happening.
"The lady was burned, her back was on fire," said Kalaheo High School sophomore Alyssa Erickson. "She was rolling around in a puddle."
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
