Robert Kovacs first heard a scream. Then he smelled the smoke.

He said he realized the Waikiki house he was staying in was on fire Wednesday morning, and he and his girlfriend ran out of the second-floor rental unit.

"It was just smoke and all," said Kovacs, who is visiting Hawaii Pacific University student Jennifer Ostermann. Both are from Germany.

The fire, which was reported at 10:42 a.m., destroyed the house, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig. The home is at 434 Launiu St.

"Substantial damage, this is going to be a total loss," Seelig said. "With the amount of damage and the age of the building, it won’t be repaired."

Seelig said the building appears to have been built during or before World War II. It has three rental units occupied by a total of four people, all of whom are now displaced.

Three people were home at the time the fire started. There were no injuries.

The fire caused an estimated $400,000 in structural damage and $50,000 in losses to the furnishings and residents’ belongings, the fire department estimated.

Ostermann was able to salvage at least two suitcases of her belongings. Kovacs said the couple will stay with friends.

The fire began in one of the lower units. Fire investigators did not immediately determine what started it.

Firefighters sprayed water to protect a nearby street-front building, which sustained minimal exterior damage and remains habitable.

Red Cross volunteers responded to help the displaced residents.

Police closed off Launiu Street from Kuhio Avenue to Ala Wai Boulevard about 11 a.m.