WAIKIKI — A high-rise fire in Waikiki yesterday that caused an estimated $30,000 in damage to a 25th-floor unit was started by a discarded cigarette, according to Honolulu Fire Department investigators.

The fire in unit 2501 of the Kaimana Villa condominiums at 2550 Kuhio Ave. was reported at 12:11 p.m. and contained by 12:20, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Earle Kealoha.

Investigators determined the fire started on the unit's lanai, said Kealoha. No one was home when the fire started but a resident told investigators he had been smoking on the lanai and discarded the cigarette in a plastic container.

Damage to the structure was estimated at $20,000 and $10,000 to contents.There were no injuries and the fire was confined to one unit.

"The first company got here in three minutes," Capt. Terry Seelig, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said at the scene. "They did a rapid-fire attack and held the fire to the back part of the apartment where it did substantially less damage than it had the potential for.

"It looked like the fire was just about to start to roll through the unit when the crew arrived and knocked it down quickly."

The building doesn't have sprinklers as would be required if it were a hotel.

Seelig said that a fire at a high-rise is a challenge for firefighters that requires multiple companies because of the many jobs that need to be done — including control of the lobby and elevator and connection to the standpipes for water to be pumped.

"It's a very labor intensive type of attack that we do for high-rise fires," he said.

Five engines, three ladders and a rescue company responded to the fire, a total of 35 to 40 firefighters in all.

Several residents evacuated the building, while others stayed and could be seen looking out their balconies.

Esther Goyne was one of several residents who evacuated and waited nearby until she could return to her unit on the 21st floor.

"The reason we were alert was because we (heard) the alarm," she said. "So we just decided to walk down."

Although Goyne could only see and smell a little smoke, she said she wasn't going to take any chances.

Once the fire was under control, there was no need to get other residents out, Seelig said.