MILILANI — A 63-year-old man critically injured in an early morning fire at the Kumelewai Gardens townhouse complex yesterday had tried to alert neighbors in the building about the blaze, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Using a ladder, firefighters removed the man from the rear window of his unit on the second floor, said Fire Department Capt. Frank Johnson. He was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and was later taken to Kuakini Medical Center for treatment in a hyperbaric decompression chamber, according to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

A 53-year-old man was transported to Wahiawa General in stable condition for treatment of minor injuries.

The fire caused about $350,000 in damage to the building at 95-1027 'Ainamakua Drive — including four units — and about $50,000 damage to its contents, Johnson said. It was unknown whether smoke detectors in the building activated, he said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is reported to have started in a common hallway on the first floor, he said.

Seven units from the fire department responded to the call just after 2:30 a.m. and had it under control by 2:47 a.m.

Seven adults and one teenager lived in the four damaged units, Johnson said. Occupants in at least three of the units have been displaced, he said.

Joey Blacksher, a resident who fled his burning apartment with his wife, Kendle, said, "We heard a lot of yelling and screaming, and we thought it was a fight outside."

Blacksher, an Army infantryman, added, "We looked out the window and saw the fire. It was right against our living-room wall, and all my military gear was against the wall."

Blacksher, who had to run down steps that were on fire, said the blaze may have been tied to an electrical problem. The Blackshers, along with neighbors, said they heard loud popping noises and pointed out that fuse boxes are housed in the area where the fire appears to have started.

"We had friends bring us some clothes, and my wife was smart enough to grab a towel as she ran out," Blacksher said.

"We don't know how bad it is yet. We haven't been able to get back inside."

Johnson said a unit in which the door was left open during the fire sustained significantly more damage than the other units. He advised the public to close doors once occupants are out to help stop a fire from traveling.