Fire chars Kuliouou home of surfer Tony Moniz
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kuliouou resident Tony Moniz sifted through belongings today in the aftermath of a house fire that burned his home Tuesday night.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kuliouou resident Tammy Moniz this morning shows one of the Bibles that were left relatively untouched from a house fire that leveled her family’s home Tuesday night.
Fire tore through the home of former professional surfer Tony Moniz in Kuliouou Tuesday night.
Ten units with nearly 40 firefighters responded to the fire that broke out at the single-family home at 6143 Summer St. shortly before 7:45 p.m.
When they arrived, fire crews observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the garage that quickly spread through the entire house, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.
>> MORE PHOTOS: Kuliouou residents return to scene of Tuesday house fire
Moniz was sleeping on the couch in his living room when he heard loud popping sounds coming from the carport.
Smoke alarms were activated and Moniz and his wife, Tammy Moniz, safely escaped the blaze.
“It happened so fast,” Tony Moniz said. “It was so surreal.”
He and his family members sifted through the grounds of the charred home this morning and found his Bible and his wife’s Bible unscathed by the fire.
Flames also melted their mailbox except for a Hawaii state flag decal sticker on it.
Standing near her home, Tammy Moniz said she is thankful no one was hurt in the blaze.
Strong winds fanned the flames throughout the structure.
Firefighters cooled down two propane tanks to prevent them from exploding and brought the fire under control just after 8:15 p.m. The blaze was extinguished about 45 minutes later.
Flames also scorched a large mango tree next the home and Moniz’ Toyota Tundra pickup truck parked in front of the residence.
The fire department said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Damage is estimated at $493,000 to the structure and $75,000 to its contents.
The Moniz ohana is a well-known surfing family who owns and operates two surf schools — Faith Surf School and Moniz Family Surf — in Waikiki.
The East Oahu home located just steps away from Kuliouou Beach has been in their family for generations.
Tammy Moniz’ grandfather, the late Keichi Osaki, passed down the house to her. He served as principal of Central Intermediate School and was a self-employed contractor.
