5 displaced after blaze destroys house
A late-night fire destroyed a Hawaii Kai home Thursday, displacing five people.
No was injured in the fire at 366 Hanamaulu St., which also destroyed a vehicle in the home’s carport and caused superficial damage to a neighboring home, according to Honolulu Fire Department officials.
Firefighters were dispatched at 10:34 p.m., and the house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The blaze was brought under control at 10:59 p.m.
Fire investigators classified the cause as accidental. The blaze began in a rear bedroom and was caused by a malfunction of a gas torch that was being used to light candles.
Damage is estimated at $560,000 to the structure and its contents. Damage to the vehicle, a Toyota sedan, is estimated at $20,000. Damage to the adjacent home is less than $1,000.
Thirty-five firefighters from five engine and two ladder companies fought the blaze, according to fire officials.
Five people were home at the time of the fire and escaped without injuries before firefighters arrived.
Girl, 2, is critical after near-drowning
A 2-year-old girl was reported in critical condition Friday after an apparent near-drowning in the Iroquois Point area, near Pearl Harbor.
Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene shortly before 11 a.m. Friday and took the victim to an area hospital.
Trouble on Molokai lands diver in hospital
A 60-year-old man is recuperating at Kuakini Medical Center, where he was taken after experiencing symptoms of decompression sickness following a dive near the southwest side of Molokai.
The Coast Guard evacuated the diver after the Molokai Fire Department said the victim was experiencing the symptoms after a dive Thursday.
A Coast Guard flight surgeon evaluated the symptoms and recommended an immediate medical evacuation to the nearest decompression chamber. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point transferred the diver to Kuakini.
1 dead, 1 hurt in water incidents
A 38-year-old man died Friday as a result of an apparent drowning at Oheo Pools in Kipahulu.
Witnesses reportedly pulled the man, a visitor from California, from the water and police officers performed CPR until fire rescue personnel and paramedics arrived.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m.
Also, a 25-year-old man was in critical condition Friday evening after nearly drowning at a popular diving spot in Lahaina.
According to a Maui Fire Department report, the man jumped off the back side of Black Rock, surfaced, but submerged again.
