A fire that erupted in a Kalihi apartment building over the weekend has been subdued, with Honolulu firefighters rescuing three pets and treating an elderly resident, local sources report. The Honolulu Fire Department was alerted to the blaze on Kalena Drive shortly before 10:40 a.m. yesterday, and the crews arrived promptly to tackle the fire, which had consumed parts of a two-story residential structure.
According to KHON2, one individual, unassisted, made their way out of the flaming edifice. This person was reportedly treated on the scene by Emergency Medical Services but declined further medical attention at a hospital. Adding to the challenge, firefighters safely extracted two dogs and one feline from the premises.
KITV adds that the man who escaped, a 68-year-old resident, suffered minor smoke inhalation. After paramedics attended to him, he chose not to pursue additional care at a hospital facility. The efforts of the firefighters brought the situation under control by 10:56 a.m., extinguishing the fire completely by 11:04 a.m., with no further injuries reported.
Fire investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the blaze and estimate the extent of the damage, with details still pending. Authorities say more information will be released as the investigation progresses into the fire that disrupted the Kalihi community yesterday. Officials credited the swift response of local firefighters with preventing a more serious incident, noting that their actions helped protect nearby residents and animals.
