Honolulu firefighters extinguished a fire Tuesday that caused $400,000 in damage to a building housing three businesses in Kalihi.

The fire broke out at 12:40 a.m. at 156 Mokauea St., where Koele’s Ono Mochi, Ohana Shells and Hula Supply, and Car Audio Evolution are located, said Capt. Terry Seelig, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman.

Firefighters saw "heavy smoke and flames visible" when they arrived on the scene about four minutes after the alarm, Seelig said.

"They were able to stop (the fire) from spreading, but it had gotten a lot of radiated heat up into the attic," Seelig said.

It took 40 firefighters, five engines and two ladder companies about three hours to extinguish the fire because firefighters had to peel off layers of roofing material to cool down smoldering wooden sheeting on the roof.

Firefighters then used foam to cool the roof, Seelig said.

The fire appears to have started in the rear of the building, Seelig said. Three vehicles in back of the building also were damaged.