Portlock blaze blamed on blowtorch
A two-alarm house fire in Portlock on Wednesday morning was touched off by a contractor working on a rain gutter with a blowtorch, which accidentally started the blaze in the roof area and in attic space, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.
The home’s two occupants were not at the oceanfront house, 305 Portlock Road, when the fire was reported at about 11:30 a.m., said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins.
Ten companies responded and brought the fire under control by 12:09 p.m., he said. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters entering the attic space used a Compressed Air Foam System to put out the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
The fire was brought under control at 12:09 p.m. and extinguished at 12:20 p.m.
The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the structure and $20,000 to the house’s contents.
Pair of shoplifting suspects arrested
A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a shoplifting suspect who allegedly struck workers at an Ewa Beach store with a car while fleeing, police said.
Police said a 36-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, both Ewa Beach residents, walked into the store at 2:45 a.m. Sunday and left without paying for items from the store. When confronted by store employees the couple fled.
When store employees confronted the suspects, the man, who was then driving a car, struck at least two workers with the vehicle, police said. No serious injuries were reported.
Police arrested the suspects about 10 hours later during a routine traffic stop on Kapolei Parkway. Both were arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery. The man faces an additional charge of first-degree terroristic threatening.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Makawao, Kula crews battling brush fire
Maui firefighters were working to contain a brush fire near Kahikinui Homesteads on the southern slopes of Haleakala on Wednesday.
Fire officials said crews began fighting the fire at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday near mile marker 22 of Piilani Highway. At that time, the fire covered about 2 acres, with winds blowing up to 25 mph.
Makawao and Kula fire engines, two water tankers and Air 1 were working to bring the fire under control on the mauka side of the highway.
