HONOLULU — A 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter had died and several others have been hospitalized while working at a three-alarm fire and partial roof collapse.
Firefighters arrived at 7:42 p.m. at a two-story residential building on Jan. 6 in the McCulley neighborhood and went to the second floor to search for occupants, Island News reported.
During the search, a mayday was transmitted for two missing firefighters. One of the missing firefighters was able to exit the structure. At some point after the mayday, a partial roof collapse also occurred, according to fire department spokesperson Captain Jamie Song.
Fire department officials told Hawaii News Now that firefighters were able to extricate the other missing firefighter.
KHON2 reported that four firefighters are in serious condition as well as one civilian. Details regarding civilian injuries and whether firefighters rescued anyone during the blaze were not provided.
“To lose a firefighter who was tragically killed in response to a fire is a very somber moment for us,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. “In fact, the last several weeks going back to the plane crash, and then certainly New Year’s Eve and tonight, we’re off to a tough start of this year.”
The fire department called a third alarm at 8:29 p.m., bringing in more units. The fire was under control by 9:07 p.m. and fully extinguished by 11:31 p.m.
The exact cause of the firefighter’s death and the fire are under investigation.
