Overcooked food cited in fire that left man dead in Makiki

Honolulu fire investigators have determined the fire that killed a 57-year-old man and destroyed 80 percent of a Makiki home on Oct. 10 was caused by overcooked food left unattended.

The medical examiner’s office has not released the identity of the victim pending notification of relatives.

A 25-year-old woman was trapped in the back of the one-story home on Kewalo Street , but was able to escape with the assistance of neighbors. Firefighters, however, were unable to enter the burning structure because the roof had collapsed.

The victim was one of three occupants of the home, and the only one inside at the time of the fire, which was fully extinguished by 12:33 p.m. Thirteen fire companies staffed with 49 personnel responded to a three-alarm blaze.

Investigators determined the fire originated in the kitchen and was accidental. Damage has been estimated at $380,000 to the structure and $40,000 to its contents.

Fire investigators are still trying to determine the origin of a two-alarm blaze that damaged a Waianae duplex Monday night.

One man was at the 85-229 Ala Akau St. residence when firefighters responded at 8:14 p.m. Paramedics treated him for smoke inhalation.

Damage was estimated at $200,000 to the first unit and $25,000 to an adjoining structure.