WAIKIKI

Burning food lights apartment fire

A fire official said overcooked food was the cause yesterday of a small fire at Kalakaua Plaza in Waikiki that displaced a woman in her 50s.

Capt. Earle Kealoha said the Fire Department was called at about 4:45 p.m. to 1682 Kalakaua Ave., where firefighters found smoke had enveloped the apartment.

Firefighters had the fire extinguished in 15 minutes and recommended the woman not stay the night. The Red Cross was called to assist her.

Clerk, alleged thief tangle in street

A 20-year-old store clerk confronted an 18-year-old man who was allegedly stealing items from a Waikiki retail store, and the two ended up fighting in the middle of the street late Wednesday night.

Police arrested both men on suspicion of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and attempted second-degree assault. The 18-year-old was also arrested for attempted fourth-degree theft.

Police said the clerk saw the teenager placing store property into his backpack at about 11:11 p.m. Wednesday.

The teenager allegedly punched the clerk before leaving the store. Police said he threw a bottle at the clerk, which shattered against a wall inside the store, grabbed a wooden traffic barricade from the street and allegedly struck the clerk on the head with it. The clerk then grabbed a metal clothes rack while the teenager grabbed another barricade, and the two fought in the middle of the street, police said.

WINDWARD OAHU

Rain uncovers human skull

A human skull was uncovered yesterday due to the heavy rain in Kaaawa.

Police said the skull appears to be ancient.

The skull was found early yesterday evening near Kualoa Beach Park, police said.

Ancient burial sites are often exposed after heavy rain, police said. Police turned over the skull to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

House fire blamed on power cord

A fire investigator determined the cause of a Kailua house fire yesterday morning was improper use of an extension cord, said fire Capt. Earle Kealoha.

The fire destroyed 90 percent of the house at 1266 Loho St.

Damage to the home was estimated at $185,000, and $15,000 to its contents, Kealoha said.

The investigator concluded that a short or arcing occurred between a thin-gauge extension cord and a fan that was plugged into it.

The fire began shortly before the first alarm at 7:45 a.m. and was brought under control at 8:10 a.m. The extension cord, which was plugged into a power strip, ran under a carpet and connected with a fan.

Kealoha said extension cords are not meant to be used as permanent wiring.

LEEWARD OAHU

Teens allegedly steal girl's camera

Three 13-year-old girls allegedly robbed a 12-year-old girl of her camera Wednesday afternoon in Ewa Beach.

Police said the teens allegedly assaulted the girl at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, and one of the girls took her camera.

All three fled before police arrived, but the teen who stole the camera was found and identified in a field lineup.

Police arrested her on suspicion of second-degree robbery. She was released Wednesday evening. The other two suspects had not been found.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Found in water, man is hospitalized

A 30-year-old Kauai man was found floating face down in water off Kealia Beach yesterday, a Kauai fire official said.

Surfers brought the man to shore at about 3:10 p.m.

Lifeguards performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and he was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital. His condition was unavailable last night.

The man might have been surfing, a fire official said. His son was on the beach, the official said.