Several people were forced to climb over a fence to avoid flames, and one man was burned trying to fight a blaze that destroyed a two-story house and damaged a multi-unit complex in Kalihi on Thursday.
The three-alarm fire forced 23 people to find other housing, said Honolulu Fire Capt. David Jenkins. The state chapter of the American Red Cross was providing assistance.
The injured man is the son of a couple who occupied the destroyed house. He and another man were at home when the fire began, Jenkins said.
The victim suffered burns but was conscious and able to walk to the ambulance, Jenkins said. In addition, a neighbor suffered smoke inhalation and required transport by ambulance.
The fire at 1240 Kaauwai Place required 13 fire companies and about 55 firefighters.
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.
Allan Acob said he was about to go to work when he saw black smoke coming out of the nearby two-story house and called 911 for help. Acob said a man was calling for someone to help him fight the blaze.
He said he was going to get a bucket of water but dismissed the idea after getting closer to the house and seeing the flames were too big. He said he notified his upstairs neighbor, whose nephew, daughter and her baby were also there.
To avoid the flames, he and the others were forced to climb over the fence into the field at Damien Memorial High School. Acob said other neighbors at nearby houses also evacuated.
Entry to all three streets was blocked for more than an hour shortly after firefighters received the emergency call at 4:04 p.m.
Some firefighters deployed trucks on nearby Kohou and Halona streets and walked into Kaauwai Place because the street was too narrow for the fire vehicles.
The fire was under control by 4:45 p.m.
Jenkins said the cause was under investigation, and the estimated damage had not yet been determined.
Andres Acob, who lives in the multi-unit house that was partially damaged, said he was at work when the fire occurred, and he was grateful that his girlfriend and her family were spared from injury.
Interviewed after 5 p.m., he was awaiting approval from authorities to enter his home and was unsure whether he, his girlfriend and her family would need to find another place to live.
