Damage from Aiea fire estimated at $650,000

UPDATE: 1:18 p.m.

The Honolulu Fire Department says the fire caused $600,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 damage to the contents. The exact cause of the fire was under investigation, HFD Capt. Scot Seguirant said in an email late Friday night.

He said one man was home when the fire started and heard popping sounds before escaping uninjured. The Red Cross is assisting two residents who were displaced from the home.

HFD reported the home had working smoke detectors, but no sprinklers.

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Friday, Aug. 16

An Aiea man’s TV exploded Friday night, igniting a fire that caused his house to go up in flames, a neighbor said.

Neighbor Nick Dizon, 60, said James Horio is a beloved neighbor who happened to be a Hawaiian Electric Co. electrical engineer before retiring.

He said Horio, who lives alone, told him he was watching television when it exploded.

Police Sgt. Roger Nitta confirmed the explosion of the television and also said there were five firearms inside the three-bedroom home, so they were taking precautions. He said the occupant of the home is about 80 years old.

Firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire, which broke out just before 8 p.m. at 99-0691 Kaulainahee Place. The fire was under control at 8:41 p.m.

About 35 fire personnel and 10 units responded and found the house fully engulfed in flames.

Horio, who is “normally a pretty calm guy,” appeared to remain calm, managed to get out safely and also pulled his car out, Dizon said, adding the heat got too intense to do much more.

Neighbor James Nguyen, 29, said he thought he smelled burning plastic or a barbecue. When he walked outside, “the whole house was lit up,” he said.