A two-alarm fire that broke out in a Kuliouou residential building last Sunday was extinguished after intense efforts by the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD). According to a release by HFD, the emergency call was made at 3:33 p.m. for the property located at 403 Kuliouou Road. Firefighters arrived within five minutes to confront a medium-sized, single-story building engulfed with heavy smoke visible from the front.
During their efforts, firefighters were able to secure a water supply and gain interior access using forcible entry tools. They initiated an aggressive attack on the flames and declared the fire under control by 4:01 p.m., with a complete extinguishment at 4:15 p.m. When securing the house that was on fire, responding to an unrelated medical emergency, firefighters also discovered a back house in need of assistance.
No occupants were located during the search of the burning home, and no injuries among HFD personnel were reported. The prompt action and strategy of the 43 fire personnel across 11 units were thought to be critical in preventing further escalation of the fire.
Finding remaining hot spots proved challenging, as firefighters encountered a flare-up in the attic around 7:30 p.m. during the overhaul process. The crew was quick to respond and managed to put out the resurgence by 8:03 p.m. In the aftermath of the incident, the American Red Cross was called to support the four displaced residents from their homes.
An investigation into the fire's origin, its cause, and the assessment of damage is currently underway. HFD has promised an update following the conclusion of their investigation.
