House fire forces 5 residents to flee

Five people managed to escape Wednesday night from a two-alarm house fire on Lunalilo Home Road in Hawaii Kai.

The blaze was reported at 6:19 p.m. The single-story home at 1038 Lunalilo Home Road was 30 percent engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at 6:25 p.m., and brought the blaze under control at 6:33 p.m. It was extinguished at 6:52 p.m.

Five fire companies and 18 personnel responded.

Capt. David Jenkins said the fire originated in the garage and that the cause was under investigation. No damage estimate was available.

The three adults and two children smelled smoke and exited the building, he said.

The Red Cross was notified to assist the residents.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui driver is charged in fatal crash

A 31-year-old Lahaina man was charged Wednesday in connection with a fatal one-car accident in 2014 on Honoapiilani Highway on Maui.

Lawrence Duran was charged with first-degree negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, inattention to driving and not having no-fault insurance. His bail was set at $100,000.

Police said Kelley Peterson, 26, a passenger in Duran’s car, was fatally injured March 18, 2014, in the crash, which occurred at Honoapiilani Highway and Shaw Street about 1:45 a.m.

Duran was driving a 1990 Toyota Corolla north on the highway when he struck a traffic signal pole. The car continued through the intersection and hit a second signal pole.