Honolulu Fire Department investigators found that two separate building fires had similar causes, HFD announced Thursday.
The Keauhou Place condominium fire on Wednesday at 555 South St. was caused by the accidental activation of an electric stovetop and was left on, HFD said in a news release. Combustible material left on the stovetop ignited and caused a kitchen fire at a 38th-floor unit, HFD said. No one was home.
“A single automatic fire sprinkler head was activated and suppressed the fire, preventing major fire damage and threat to occupants,” HFD said.
Ten HFD companies responded to the 3:23 p.m. alarm at the newly built, 43-story residential building across the street from HFD headquarters. Firefighters traced smoke coming from the 38th floor to its source.
The fire was extinguished at 3:40 p.m.
On Thursday, a building fire at 624 Pumehana St. also was caused by an electric stovetop being inadvertently turned on, HFD said. Again combustible items, including a rice cooker, were left on the stovetop and ignited.
Firefighters responding to the 9:30 a.m. fire at the two-story apartment building found light smoke emanating from a ground-floor apartment.
Neighbors used garden hoses and a fire extinguisher to douse the fire. Firefighters fully extinguished it.
No one was home.
Suspect sought in bus-stop assault attempt
CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s help in finding a male wanted for attempted assault in the first degree at a city bus stop.
About 9:45 p.m. on Nov. 21, a woman in her 50s was riding a city bus when she was approached by an unknown male who began talking to the victim and tried to solicit her for sex.
The victim refused and got off the bus at the next stop, near the City Mill store on Waialae Avenue. The male followed her off the bus, then grabbed her and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim was able to fight off the male, flee the area and contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or text *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Man sought in holdup at recycling center
Police are continuing to search for man in his 50s who on Wednesday robbed an employee at gunpoint at a Kalihi recycling center.
Police said the man at 9 a.m. entered Island Recycling at 1803 Dillingham Blvd., pointed a handgun at the woman in the office and ordered her to open the cash register and safe.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
