House fire blamed on faulty fan

A two-alarm fire Thursday morning in Kamehameha Heights was caused by a malfunctioning desk fan, Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said.

A man in his 70s suffered minor burns in the blaze, and several of his cats died.

The fire broke out at 4:18 a.m. in a single-story, three-bedroom home at 2634-A Kalihi St.

The fire was heavily involved when firefighters arrived at 4:23 a.m., Seelig said. It was declared under control at 4:35 a.m. but caused "extensive" damage to the home, with losses estimated at $250,000.

Seelig said the malfunctioning desk fan that caused the blaze was in a bedroom, while the man was sleeping in the living room. The desk fan was sitting on a shelf and was plugged in but not turned on.

Seelig said the man, the only person living in the house, rescued three of his cats but told firefighters several others had died in the blaze. Seelig said the man had about a dozen pet cats.

Boy, 15, arrested in attempted robbery

Police arrested a 15-year-old boy Wednesday in connection with an armed home invasion in Waianae.

Three assailants armed with firearms entered a 57-year-old man’s Makona Street home after he opened his door to check on his barking dog at about 1:30 a.m. Monday, police said.

The man struggled with one of the attackers in the doorway and saw several males in front of the door and in the carport. There were about six males altogether.

The assailants ran. Police arrested the boy at 10:30 a.m. for investigation of robbery and released him, pending investigation.