The Honolulu Fire Department’s fire investigators have completed their investigation of the Chiko’s Tavern fire in McCully and have classified the cause as accidental.

The fire began in the back lounge because of an improperly discarded smoking material. The fire apparently occurred after the tavern was closed and it is not known if smoking materials in an ashtray were improperly emptied while still lit or if a cigarette was accidentally dropped.


The Chiko’s Tavern fire occurred last Wednesday. The first HFD companies were dispatched at 2:24 a.m. and reached the scene at 2:27 a.m. Firefighters reported smoke showing from a roof vent of the two-story commercial building on the corner of McCully and Algaroba streets.

Firefighters requested a second alarm and made forcible entry into Chiko’s Tavern where they encountered heavy smoke throughout the establishment and began firefighting operations. The fire was brought under control at 2:47 a.m. and extinguished at 2:55 a.m.

Chiko’s Tavern was unoccupied when the first firefighters arrived and there were no injuries caused by the fire. The fire caused moderate to heavy damage to the lounge. Damage was estimated at $150,000.