A police officer went into a burning Honokowai apartment early Friday to rescue a man who was heard yelling for help, officials said.
Police and firefighters were dispatched to Sunset Terrace Apartments at 3626 Lower Honoapiilani Road at 2:09 a.m. when residents reported heavy smoke coming from a unit.
Arriving within minutes, Lahaina patrol officers saw the smoke coming from the third-floor apartment and heard someone inside yelling for help.
After kicking the door open, officer William Cleghorn got on his hands and knees and went into the apartment to bring out a 41-year-old man, police said.
The man had fallen asleep on a couch in the living area and couldn’t find his way out in the heavy smoke, police said.
Firefighters, who arrived after the resident had been rescued, initially treated the man, who was disoriented and somewhat overwhelmed by the heat and heavy smoke, said Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro. He said the man was transferred to medics for further evaluation and was reported to be in stable condition.
“If it wasn’t for the bravery of the officer going into the unit, I’m not sure what the outcome would have been,” said Capt. David Silva, commander of the Lahaina Patrol District. “It might have been grim.
“The officers work hard and they put their life on the line every day.”
Preliminary estimates set damage at $30,000, including $20,000 to the structure and $10,000 to its contents. The fire was determined to have started in the area of the kitchen stove in the unit.
Napili and Lahaina engine and ladder companies and a battalion chief responded to the fire.
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