19 need shelter after Waipahu fire

Nineteen people were left homeless yesterday after a Waipahu house fire.

The nine-bedroom single-story house sustained $175,000 damage to one bedroom and an adjacent room and contents.

As many as nine people were home at the time, and all got out safely, said fire Capt. Terry Seelig. An elderly woman had difficulty breathing and was treated at the scene by paramedics, but she required no further aid.

Seelig said a large, extended family lived at the house. A few days ago nine people, four of whom were children, had just moved into the section of the house that burned, he said.

Investigators had not determined the cause last night.

About 20 to 25 firefighters were dispatched to 94-1261 Huakai St. at 2:30 p.m. and reported heavy flames coming from the corner of the house. They had the blaze under control at 2:45 p.m.

Seelig attributed the use of compressed air foam to bringing the fire under control quickly.

Red Cross is assisting all 19 people with accommodations since the electricity to the home was disconnected.

No injuries in Kuliouou blaze

A fire in Kuliouou Valley destroyed about half a house last night.

Two to three people were home at the time, but all escaped without injury.

The fire at 636 Puili Place began just before 5:11 p.m. and was brought under control at 5:35 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear of the house, fire Capt. Terry Seelig said.

More than 50 percent of the house was badly damaged, he said.

The Red Cross responded and assisted the three adults and a child who lived at the house.

Assault leaves man unconscious

Police said a 48-year-old man was found unconscious at 12:30 p.m. Sunday in the Kapolei business district.

Police said the man suffered head injuries and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

The case has been classified as first-degree assault.

Off-duty officer foils car burglary

An off-duty police officer helped stop two suspects in a car break-in early Monday in Hawaii Kai.

The officer saw a 29-year-old Kailua man allegedly breaking into a vehicle parked near his home in Hawaii Kai at about 1:30 a.m.

The man allegedly took a backpack from the vehicle and got into a getaway vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Waimanalo man, police said.

The officer then followed that vehicle to a location on Lunalilo Home Road in Hawaii Kai and reported the incident and location of the two suspects.

On-duty officers arrested the two men within seven minutes for suspicion of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.