At least three people died in a massive fire at a Hawaii high-rise apartment building Friday, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said.
The blaze occurred on the 26th floor of the Marco Polo Apartments, a 538-unit building that includes apartments and condominiums, KHON reported. The victims were found on the same floor, officials said.
It is unclear what caused the five-alarm fire, but authorities said the apartment where the fire began did not have sprinklers, CNN reported."
“Without a doubt, if there were sprinklers in this apartment the fire would be contained to the unit of origin,” Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves told CNN.
The property consists of a 36-story main tower and a seven-story parking garage, KHON reported.
Nearly 100 firefighters worked to put out the fire, which also jumped two floors above its starting point, CNN reported. Residents were evacuated from the building.
“This lady’s voice, I’m not kidding you. I’m trembling.” resident Teresa Sommerville told KHON. “She’s like ‘help me, help me,’ and I couldn’t see her because the smoke was so dark.”
Some residents were treated for smoke inhalation, KHON reported. At least three people were taken to the hospital. Two patients were in serious but stable condition. A 58-year-old woman was listed in stable condition.
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