VIDEO: Clean-up Effort Begins in Wake of Resort Fire

Valley Isle Resort fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsfyyfqp4RI /] By Wendy Osher

Crews from Maui Fire & Flood are on location today cleaning units at the Valley Isle Resort, where a structure fire caused an estimated $1.4 million in damage on Monday.

The fire burned a structure that was the home of a gym, offices, and other resort facilities.  Residents in the resort’s adjacent high rise are now dealing with the impact of smoke damage within individual units. 

“This is a much larger incident than we’re used to dealing with on a day-to-day basis,” said Anthony Nelson, Operations Manager for Maui Fire & Flood.  Because the company has been around for 10 years and has experienced several similar sized incidents in the past Nelson said, “we’re equipped to handle it.”

“When we got here there was lawn chairs, and all sorts of things,” said Nelson who stood by a pool blackened by soot.  “It looked like the firemen were throwing whatever was on fire in there in an effort to put out the flames.”

An estimated 25 people from the company were on the resort grounds today where they assisted residents in removing belongings. 

The company, which specializes in emergency response for water damage and fire and smoke emergencies, was also on hand today to provide critical cleaning, deodorization, and smoke odor remediation for each of the 120 units on site.

“We’re wet wiping the walls with an odor counteractant and degreaser; we’re also setting up air purification,” said Nelson. 

Nelson said that while the company is cleaning the units, residents will not be occupying the structure.  He said a tentative date of this weekend has been given for residents returning, but he said, “we’ll know more as we’re able to eliminate the safety hazards on site.”

Valley Isle Resort fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Valley Isle Resort fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Valley Isle Resort fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Valley Isle Resort fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.