Deaths from fires on
pace to set mark

Fire officials urge residents to
have smoke detectors and
escape plans

Four people have died in fires on Oahu this year, already topping the annual total for eight of the past 10 years.

The only two years to have more than four fatalities were last year, with a record 14 fatalities, and 1997, in which there were 11 such deaths.

"Any number is too high," said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. "It's almost the same number as last year (by this time), but it's way higher than previous years. We were relatively low before last year."

Fire officials say three of the four fire fatalities this year could have been prevented had there been a smoke detector in the home. Officials have started a campaign to promote the use of smoke detectors.

A Kaimuki house fire on March 24 that killed two elderly sisters was accidental and electrical in origin. If they had been warned by a smoke detector, the women, ages 82 and 89, might have had a better chance for survival.

On Jan. 28 a Waikiki man died in an apartment fire fueled by oxygen tanks at the Coral Terrace Apartments on Aloha Drive. No smoke detector was found.

"Not that that would have saved those people, but it may have given them enough warning to get them out," Tejada said.

Tejada explained that smoke wafts upward, gathering at the ceiling, then banks down.

If a smoke detector is present, it would sound an alarm when smoke is at ceiling level, giving a person time to get out before the smoke reaches him or her.

In eight of the past 10 years, the number of building fire deaths on Oahu fell between zero and three.

In a nationwide survey from 1992-2001, Hawaii was the third-lowest state in fire deaths per million. The national average was 13.1 fatalities per year for that period, while Hawaii's average was 2.4.

"Hopefully, we can hold it down for the rest of the year, and we can have a normal year for Hawaii," he said. "Fire deaths always concern us."

Tejada pointed out that last year's fire fatalities were unusual because eight of the 14 deaths were in fires intentionally set. Five died in murder-suicide incidents, one was a suicide and two were murder victims.

In 1997 the year's total was boosted to double digits by a single deadly house fire that killed seven members of a Palolo family.

Tejada also stressed the need to "talk story" with elderly family members about fire safety. Honolulu Fire Department officials urge families to work out a realistic fire plan, including an escape route.

"Everything you would do for yourself, do for them," he said.

Evelyn and Eleanor Miyake had metal security grating on their windows, which prevented firefighters from breaking in through the windows. Tejada said the grating could have been opened from the inside, since it was hinged.

This year's other fatalities include a 78-year-old Waialua woman who died from severe burns. Her son found the woman sitting outside the house with her clothes on fire. The Feb. 15 fire was likely started by a cigarette.

The Fire Department is also recommending automatic fire sprinkler systems as another way to cut down on fire fatalities.

A large Makiki high-rise fire on Jan. 27 that destroyed five units could have been contained to one unit had a sprinkler system been installed, Tejada said. No people died in the fire, but two cats were killed.

At the request of the fire chief, House Bill 1448, House Draft 2, which provides a tax incentive to high-rise owners for installing fire sprinkler systems, was amended to include private homeowners.