Maui Firefighters Respond To Two Morning Home Fires

By Wendy Osher

Maui firefighters responded to two home fires this morning (Friday, January 8, 2010). The first was reported at 4:36 a.m. in Waiehu.

Maui Battalion Chief James “Kimo” Kino said the Waiehu fire damaged a distressed building that was not permitted and was located far up in the valley off of dirt roads.

Access to the area was limited to a Battalion vehicle and a Mini Tanker. Other units responding to the scene, but unable to access the area were Rescue 10, Engine 10 and Tanker 10 from the Kahului station

The fire caused an estimated $20,000 to the 500 square-foot building and its contents. Crews had extinguished the fire and left the scene by 8:30 a.m.

The second structure fire occurred at 10:05 a.m. at a home in Kahului.

Maui Fire Department Battalion Chief Frank Tam said the home at 150 Kuhuoi Place sustained $155,000 in damage. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Battalion Chief Frank Tam said the Kahului blaze was under control by 10:32 a.m. and extinguished by 12:24 p.m. There were two adults and two children at home at the time of the incident, but no injuries were reported.

The home is located at 150 Kuhuoi Place in the subdivision just across the street from the HFN gas station in the Kahului Industrial area.

The Kahului blaze caused a total of $155,000 in damage–$135,000 to the structure, and $20,000 to its contents.

Three fire engines responded to the scene including companies from Kahului, Wailuku and Paia, as well as Rescue and Hazmat trucks.

Two adults and two children were displaced by a Friday morning fire at a residence located across the street from the HFN gas station in the Kahului Industrial Area. Photo by Wendy Osher.

According to Fire Department officials, both fires are under investigation and considered to be unrelated.

Denise Laitinen, the media contact for the Red Cross said the agency is assisting displaced residents from both incidents. Between the two incidents, three adults, seven children and a dog were displaced. The Red Cross is providing assistance in the form of food, clothing, and basic necessities; and have put up both families in a hotel.

Details of the Waiehu fire are pending release, however, Laitinen said the Waiehu home was heavily damaged to destroyed.

The Red Cross encourages all families to make a disaster plan to include an evacuation plan with two different routes of escape, a communications plan to help families reconnect after disaster and a disaster supplies kit that is readily available to aid in a quick evacuation. Information on developing a family plan is available to the public at www.redcross.org.