The Marco Polo fire killed 4 residents and caused over $100 million in damage, highlighting fire sprinkler deficiencies in older Honolulu high-rises.
Key Facts
- Date
- July 14, 2017
- Deaths
- 4 people
- Injuries
- 13 (including 1 firefighter) people
- Units damaged or destroyed
- Over 200 units
- Estimated damage
- More than $100 million
- Building height
- 36 stories
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 36-story Marco Polo condominium, built without a fire sprinkler system, was vulnerable to rapid fire spread. On July 14, 2017, at 2:17 p.m., a fire ignited within the building at 2333 Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu's McCully-Mōʻiliʻili neighborhood, where the absence of sprinklers allowed flames to propagate through multiple floors.
The fire burned through the high-rise condominium, killing 4 residents and injuring 13 others, including one firefighter. More than 200 units were damaged or destroyed as firefighters worked to contain the blaze in the densely occupied residential tower.
The disaster caused damage exceeding $100 million and prompted state investigations into asbestos abatement, as the building's construction incorporated asbestos materials. The event intensified debate in Hawaii over mandating fire sprinkler retrofits in older high-rise residential buildings.