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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Firefighters mopped up Thursday afternoon after a blaze in Kalihi destroyed one home and damaged a multi-unit residence.
A fire in Kalihi Thursday caused about $681,000 in damages to two Kalihi buildings, a fire official said Friday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A two-story home at 1240 Kaauwai Place is a total loss, with damages estimated at $400,000 to the structure and $150,000 to the home’s contents. A multi-unit, two-story building next door suffered about $150,000 to the structure and $1,000 to items in the building.
The 3-alarm fire broke out just after 4 p.m. and left 23 people homeless.
One man, the son of a couple who lived in the two-story home, suffered burns. Another neighbor was treated for smoke inhalation.
Thirteen fire companies and about 55 firefighters responded to the blaze and brought the flames under control by 4:45 p.m.
Ella Maeda, whose house is on Kohou Street, said she heard popping sounds coming from the house.
"The flames were so big. The fire was scary," Maeda said.
