Honolulu fire officials were investigating the cause and origin of a blaze that heavily damaged a Kai­lua shopping center early Thursday, forcing the evacuation of pets and staff from an animal hospital.

The evacuation occurred after a fire broke out at about 3:14 a.m. at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in the Aikahi Shopping Center. The fire was mainly restricted to the kitchen, said Hono­lulu Fire spokes­man Capt. David Jen­kins.

But Jenkins said five businesses, including the animal hospital, share a common attic space where there was possible smoke damage.

Damage to the building and its contents was estimated at $400,000.

Thirty firefighters and eight fire companies responded to the two-alarm fire and brought the flames under control 10 minutes after the initial call.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Inmate who fled in February finally nabbed

Hawaii island police said prison inmate Railee Keoni Santos, who has been missing since Feb. 16, was apprehended Thursday.

Santos, 20, was arrested in Mountain View at 4:45 p.m.

He was being held at the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of escape.

Santos was confined at Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s reintegration program at Hale Nani when he escaped on Feb. 16. Santos was present at a 6 p.m. head count but was noticed missing an hour later.

He is serving a sentence for a terroristic threatening conviction and was to complete his sentence in June.