An apartment fire in Aiea Thursday was caused by a plumber’s propane torch, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

HFD responded to a 12:46 p.m. call for the fire at 98-402 Koauka Loop in Aiea, which is the address for the Pearl Regency. Five units with 22 personnel responded, and found smoke coming from a 12-floor unit of a high-rise tower.

Firefighters initiated an offensive attack with water, and brought the fire under control at 1:28 p.m. and fully extinguished it at 1:29 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

An investigation found that the plumber was using a propane torch to heat a frozen nut, which inadvertently ignited insulation material in the wall space and became a smoldering fire. The plumber was attempting to fix a leak at a faulty shower valve.

The fire has been classifie

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