Police are investigating a structure fire that occurred Wednesday at the Kauhale Olu Apartments on Kumula Street in Pepe‘ekeo.
When police and fire emergency personnel arrived on scene around 10 a.m. they found a two-story, four-unit apartment structure engulfed in flames, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The fire was contained around 11:48 a.m.
Three separate families residing in the building were home at the time, according to police. Several people suffered injuries either from the fire or while trying to escape, including:
• A 70-year-old woman who was treated by HFD personnel on scene and released for minor scrapes to her arm from broken glass while evacuating the building.
• A 38-year-old woman who injured her back jumping from a two-story window to the ground to escape the fire. She is listed in stable condition at the hospital. Her three girls, ages 14, 9 and 6, were treated for smoke inhalation and released.• A 30-year-old man who suffered burns and scrapes from the fire was transported to the hospital where he was treated and later released.
An additional 22 individuals were evacuated from the area, according to Hawaii County officials. The Department of Parks and Recreation opened a shelter for the displaced families at the Papaʻikou Community Center. The American Red Cross is on scene providing care services. Office of Housing and Community Development Administrator Susan Kunz is also working with her staff to find additional resources for the families affected.
“We were very lucky that there were no serious injuries or worse,” said Eric Moller, deputy fire chief. “This fire spread rapidly and could have had a much more serious outcome. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have lost so much, as we kindly remind everyone to limit their exposure to fires such as these by keeping their home fire safe.”
Police are investigating the matter further to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the blaze.
The estimated damage to the complex from the fire is $500,000. The fire was limited to the V-Building complex that includes four housing units each consisting of two-bedroom, one-bath living quarters, police said.
Anyone having information on the fire should call the department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
