A 63-year-old man was rescued from the roof of a burning building on 'Auiki Street in Kalihi Kai early yesterday morning after fire broke out at an auto detailing business.

The fire was reported shortly after 1 a.m. at 1708 'Auiki St. and was brought under control within 15 minutes of firefighters' arrival.

The man, who lives in an apartment with his dog above Frontline Services and Auto Detailing, was on the roof waving a flashlight when firefighters arrived. They used a ladder to take him to safety.

He was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by an Emergency Medical Services crew but declined to go to the hospital.

He declined to give his name, but said he had lived at the residence for five years with his white poodle, Chris, which firefighters also rescued.

"It appears the fire started in the detailing shop," said Capt. Frank Johnson of the Honolulu Fire Department. "Some smoke damage occurred to the business next door and to the residence above."

Island Boyz Custom Cycles shares the building with the detailing shop.

Johnson said the fire never spread to the residence or to the cycle shop, but both sustained smoke damage.

Kevin Monaghan, who lives nearby, said he heard the fire alarms shortly after 1 a.m. and woke some fellow neighbors after seeing smoke.

"I saw the smoke from my place and came over and saw the man standing on the roof waving a flashlight to let people know he was up there," Monaghan said. "They (firefighters) climbed up the ladder and brought him down."

Johnson said approximately 35 firefighters responded to the call.

The cause of the fire had not been determined and no damage estimates were available yesterday afternoon.

Reach Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.