An early morning fire sent an elderly couple and their grandchild fleeing from their home as the blaze sent smoke across the H-1 freeway in Aiea.

The fire broke out at 6:22 a.m. Tuesday on Pono Street mauka of the H-1 freeway near the Waimalu Stream.

Three people were home at the time of the fire, including grandparents babysitting their grandchild. They were able to escape the fire safely, with no injuries being reported. One family pet is still unaccounted for Tuesday morning.

An elderly couple neighboring the burning home also evacuated after they became irritated by the smoke from the blaze.

The fire was under control about a half hour after it was reported.

Already congested morning traffic was brought to a crawl from weary drivers passing through the thick plumes of smoke that spread across the H-1 freeway near the Ka'ahumanu overpass.

No word yet on what caused the fire or how much damage was reported.