A malfunctioning lithium battery on the second-floor storage room of a Kalihi warehouse on Rose Street was pinpointed as the cause of a three-alarm fire Monday.
The battery, used to power a motorcycle, was not connected to anything at the time of the fire, said HFD spokesman Kendall Ching.
That fire at Wholesale Equipment warehouse caused an estimated $330,000 in total damage, with an estimated $230,000 in damage to the structure and $100,000 to its contents.
Kelly Brezina, the 59-year-old owner, who was inside the first-floor office with his daughter, 23, and granddaughter, 20 months, when the fire broke out, was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.
Motorcyclist killed in crash was soldier
Army officials confirmed the 29-year-old man killed in a motorcycle crash in Wahiawa on Friday morning was a soldier stationed at Schofield Barracks.
His name and unit were not released.
Police said the soldier was speeding at 5:28 a.m. on Wilikina Drive near Kamananui Road when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a utility pole and then slid into a car driven by a 25-year-old man.
Emergency Medical Services said the motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene.
The driver of the Dodge sedan did not sustain injuries.
The incident marked Oahu’s 30th traffic death this year, compared with 34 at the same time a year ago.
Police closed Wilikina Drive between Kaukonahua and Kamananui roads while Traffic Division officers investigated the crash. The roadway was reopened at 8:33 a.m.
State hospital worker attacked by patient
For the second time this week, police arrested a patient at the Hawaii State Hospital following an attack on a worker.
A 44-year-old man assaulted a 42-year-old man at the State Hospital on Wednesday at about 8:30 a.m., police said. Police arrested the suspect Thursday.
On Monday a 19-year-old patient allegedly attacked a 52-year-old state worker at about 10:30 p.m. on the hospital grounds.
Officers arrested both patients on suspicion of second-degree assault.
Both men were released to hospital officials, pending further investigation. Neither patient has been charged.
