Fire damaged 2 structures in Kaimuki and Ewa Beach, leaving at least five people homeless.

Firefighters were first dispatched to a fire in an older cottage that is divided into two rental units at 3837 Waialae Ave. at 4:04 p.m. Tuesday, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

Responding firefighters saw moderate smoke coming from the front corner bedroom and sprayed it with water, before making a forced entry into the home and extinguishing the flames. About 17 firefighters brought the fire under control by 4:16 p.m., Seelig said.

No one was home at the time.

Seelig said damages were estimated at $7,000 to the structure and $3,000 to the room’s contents, including a keyboard and conga drums.

The fire didn’t damage the second unit, but the entire structure’s electricity had to be cut off, leaving a couple in the back unit in the dark. They declined help from the Red Cross. A man who lives in the fire-damaged unit was not immediately located.

At 4:07 p.m. Tuesday, a fire broke out in the kitchen of a second floor-unit in the Arbors townhome community on Laaulu Street, Seelig said.

Firefighters confined the blaze to the kitchen. Two adults and a toddler were not home when the fire started, but a woman who returned during the fire and fainted and had to receive treatment from firefighters.

Smoke filled the unit, but the fire was contained to the kitchen, causing about $25,000 damage, Seelig said. The family declined aid from the Red Cross. The cause of both fires remained undetermined tonight.