A malfunctioning gas water heater appears to be the cause of an early morning  fire that left about 25 people homeless this morning, a fire department spokesman said. 

About 35 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire on 1010 Rawlins Lane about 2:45 a.m., said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Gary Lum.

One home was fully gutted, causing about $240,000 in damage, Lum said. The fire also damaged two adjacent homes.

Lum said it appeared one person was treated on scene for minor injuries after going through a window to escape the fire.

The American Red Cross has been called in to assist those displaced by the fire, Lum said.