Fire investigators say electrical cord sparked penthouse fire near Waikiki

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Fire investigators said the fire in a penthouse unit near Waikiki Monday was accidental and started when an electrical cord sparked and ignited insulation.

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On Friday, the Honolulu Fire Department’s Fire Investigator the fire started in an enclosed patio of the unit.

The Honolulu Fire Department responded around 8:32 a.m. to the building near 1720 Ala Moana Blvd., dispatching 11 units staffed with 41 personnel.

The first unit arrived on scene at 8:39 a.m. to find light black smoke coming from a penthouse unit, prompting an immediate second alarm.

Firefighters secured water lines, established control of the lobby and elevators, and made their way up to the unit to attack the flames.

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Crews checked for fire extension to ensure the flames did not spread from the enclosed balcony to adjacent rooms or neighboring units.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 8:47 a.m. and fully extinguished it by 9:11 a.m.

EMS said two residents, an 81-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man, were evaluated on scene. Both patients refused transport. Three people from a nearby unit safely evacuated on their own. No injuries were reported.

HFD said the fire resulted in an estimated $40,000 in damage, including $30,000 in property damage and $10,000 in damaged contents.

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