A child playing with a lighter caused the fire in an 'Aiea townhouse Friday that left eight people homeless, Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Earle Kealoha said yesterday.

Kealoha said the fire started in a bedroom of a second-floor unit. Damages were estimated at $135,000.

The townhouse complex is at 98-949 Kaonohi St.

MAN CRITICAL AFTER STABBING IN KALIHI

Honolulu police are investigating a stabbing in Kalihi that left a man in critical condition yesterday.

A police spokesman said detectives were sent to an area of North King Street and Waiakamilo Road shortly after 5 a.m. to investigate a possible stabbing.

The stabbing occurred around 4 a.m., but the male victim, who said he was attacked in a confrontation with seven men, didn't call for an ambulance until 4:45 a.m.

He was found at 1564 N. King St. and taken to an area trauma center to be treated for multiple stab wounds, Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said.

The man was in critical condition, Cheplic said.

Witnesses at the scene said they saw the man lying face down near a pool of blood and that a nearby wall was stained with blood.

The victim apparently then got up, leaving a trail of blood from where the stabbing occurred to where paramedics and firefighters found him.