KAILUA — An early morning fire yesterday gutted a three-bedroom home on Kihapai Street, but the occupants were able to get out without serious injury.

One of the home's two occupants, a 43-year-old man, was taken to Castle Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

The fire department estimated the loss at $150,000 to the house and $10,000 to the residents' belongings.

The fire started in the front of the home shortly before 3:30 a.m. and engulfed it within minutes, neighbors said.

"At first I thought I heard people talking or laughing. Then I heard a sound like breaking glass," said Alex Marana, whose home is next door to the destroyed home.

"I looked out the window and saw flames coming out of their window," Marana said. He said he woke everyone in his house, ushered them outdoors and hosed down bushes and the roof until the firefighters arrived.

"I saw the guy who lives there standing at the mailbox and all he could do was watch it go up in flames," Marana said.

"We had it out within 15 minutes," fire department spokes-man Capt. Frank Johnson said.

Hillary Sanchez, another neighbor who lives next door with her grandmother and aunt, said she called 911 after waking to the sounds of shattering glass. Her family also tried to douse the flames with garden hoses until firefighters arrived.

"I thought they were breaking and entering at first when I heard the noise," Sanchez said. "Then I looked out and saw flames coming out the window."

Sanchez said it appeared the fire started in the front of the house, then moved to the back and shot through the roof.

Also yesterday, a child playing with matches started a fire at a Kalihi Valley home, Johnson said.

No injuries were reported in the 9:30 a.m. fire at 2338 Kalaunu St., Johnson said. Losses were estimated at $5,000 to the home and $1,000 to its contents, he said.

Reach Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.