A family of five was displaced tonight when fire gutted the three-bedroom house they were living in at 1475 Punchbowl St.

The family was sitting in the kitchen about to eat dinner when they smelled smoke and moved outside.
The call came in at 5:45 p.m., according to Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Earle Kealoha. Firefighters arrived within minutes and had the fire under control at 6:02 and extinguished at 6:43, Kealoha said.
A preliminary estimate put damages at $350,000 to $400,000.
The cause of the fire was not determined, but Kealoha said they suspected it began in the kitchen.
Three of the family’s pet chihuahuas were unaccounted for and presumed dead.
The mother had to be assisted by paramedics because she was so upset over her pets.
Kealoha said a good Samaritan stopped and helped the family by urging them to move away from the house.
He said the fire department expresses its gratitude to the Samaritan.
The family’s landlady, Yvonne Hussey of Makiki, said she grew up in the house. She said the man who lives there had called and said, “Yvonne the house is on fire!”
“I said ‘my God get out right now.’”
Then she called 911.
While she was standing at the scene, a police officer walked up and told her that everyone had gotten out of the house safely.
“Oh praise God; all five got out,” she said.