Vehicle Accident Ignites Brush at Launiupoko

Lahaina, West Maui.

A single-vehicle collision on Punakea Loop in West Maui sparked a brush fire that threatened homes in Launiupoko on Saturday afternoon, Jan.30, 2016, fire officials said.

The incident was reported at 3:56 p.m. when the vehicle collided with an embankment and caught fire.  Fire officials say crews arrived on scene at 4:12 p.m. to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames, and flames in an area of nearby brush that were quickly moving uphill.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said the fire threatened two homes above the accident and came within 200 feet of one of the structures.  According to FSC Taomoto, the two occupants escaped with minor injuries.

The fire scorched an acre of brush before being contained at 5:09 p.m., and being called extinguished at 5:50 p.m.

A Lahaina engine, ladder, water tanker, and battalion chief responded to the fire.