Video of house fire after deadly Hawaii shooting

Two police officers were killed in a shooting Sunday in the normally peaceful Honolulu, Hawaii's governor said in a statement. A home the suspected gunman was believed to be inside caught fire and was quickly engulfed by flames. The fire at the home has since spread to several neighbouring homes and a parked police vehicle.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that officers had responded to an assault call when they encountered a male with a firearm, who then opened fire, striking two officers.

The shots were fired in a neighbourhood at the far end of the Waikiki Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the famed Diamond Head State Monument. The area would be packed with tourists and locals, especially on a weekend.

Some residents said they smelled smoke before hearing gunshots.

Officials across the state began releasing statements mourning the lost lives.

According to court records, Lois Cain, who owns the home that caught fire, filed an ejection complaint last week against tenant Jaroslav Hanel, also known as Jarda Hanel and Jerry Hanel.

The complaint says he doesn't have a rental agreement to occupy the property and that he has refused to vacate, and asks that officials remove him from the property. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Hanel had mental health issues, including thinking the government was watching him and tapping his phone, said Jonathan Burge, his lawyer since 2015.

Burge represented him for various disputes with neighbours, including temporary restraining orders neighbours had against him.

Hanel used Czech interpreters in court, he said and was originally from the Czech Republic.

He lived in Lois Cain’s home rent-free in exchange for handyman work, Burge said.

No arrests have been made.

Police have closed several streets nearby. The public has been asked to avoid the area.

(Picture Credits: Pixabay)