Sonny Duldulao spent a month and a half and $20,000 renovating a duplex unit adjoining his Pearl City home for his son and his young family.

But both homes were destroyed when a 12:17 p.m. fire ravaged the young family’s home and swept through a good portion of Sonny and Gaylene Duldulao’s adjoining unit, likely a total loss. Fire officials estimated the damage at $300,000 to both houses and $50,000 to the contents.

Sonny Duldulao, 61, a retired city bus driver, said he had just left to run errands and turned around when he got a call from his sister that his house was on fire.

No one was home at the time except the young family’s pets. Sabrina, a 14-year-old indoor cat, is presumed dead, but their 6-year-old dog, Snibbles, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, was in their yard and found alive by a neighbor.

Fire investigators determined the cause was the malfunction (not an overload) of an electrical power strip, into which computers had been plugged, in the den of the younger Duldulaos’ home.

Despite the destruction, Duldulao remained positive and in good spirits, welcoming the stream of relatives who dropped by to offer help.

"This is a family home where everybody gathers for holidays, Christmas," said nephew Ray Aguilar, who helped with the renovations. "This is like our second home."

He said his Uncle Sonny is "like the go-to kind of guy for everybody."

Aguilar asked where the family will gather this Christmas.

His uncle replied he would rebuild the house.

"Hopefully, we can do it before the end of the year," Duldulao said.

While Joe and Jennifer Duldulao talked to fire investigators, sons Jake, 5, and Jaxon, 3, surveyed the charred remnants of their bikes and toys in the front yard.

"Look at the red one," said Jaxon. "It’s broke."

Jake then looked at their blackened home and told his little brother, "That’s our house."

"You never think this kind of tragedy happens to you," said Jennifer Duldulao shortly after seeing the burned-out shell. "I feel like I don’t have anything. Where do we start? I’m glad we weren’t home. At least my kids are here."

The first-grade teacher was in the middle of conducting a class when she got the news from her husband.

"I couldn’t tell my class," she said. "I was in shock. I’m just numb. You find out you have nothing to come home to. I’m very thankful to friends and family."

The first fire company arrived at 12:24 p.m. at the duplexes at 1216 and 1218 Palekaiko St., finding heavy flames, said fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

The blaze was under control by 12:48 p.m. and extinguished by 1:12 p.m.

Joe Duldulao, 35, said that when his brother moved out, the plan was to save some money by moving into his parents’ duplex and renting out his Kunia house, which he had just began advertising Sunday. They moved in December.

Jennifer Duldulao said her in-laws display amazing strength, saying her mother-in-law "is always calm in the most stressful situations."

Gaylene Duldulao, 60, a second-grade schoolteacher, told her class she had to leave because her house was on fire.

They offered comfort, she said.

"Mrs. Duldulao, God is helping you. It’s raining!" they chimed.

When she arrived home, she didn’t even look inside. Instead, her mind was on her grandsons.

"I want to make sure I can get them clothes and something to eat and try to maintain their routine," she said.