Maui Man Dies After Being Rescued From Burning Unit

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

An 84-year-old Maui man died over the weekend, after being rescued from a burning unit at the three-story Kāʻanapali Royale residential complex last week.

Maui Police Lieutenant William Juan said Jurgen Vahrenkamp died on Sunday, June 16, 2013 while being cared for at the Straub Hospital on Oʻahu.

Although authorities confirmed that Vahrenkamp sustained burns in the incident, police say they do not have the cause of death.

Authorities say the man was initially transported to the hospital in serious condition after being rescued from the burning unit on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.

The fire was reported at 10:50 p.m. and caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the two-bedroom two-bath unit located on Kekaʻa Drive in West Maui.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the cause of the fire was undetermined, however, based on observations at the scene and circumstances of the fire, the most probable cause was accidental.

The fire reportedly started in the living area of the unit, and was discovered by occupants of the complex, said FS Chief Mainaga.

Fire officials say the male occupant was rescued from the unit by responding police officers.  The Maui Police Department “respectfully declined” to furnish the names of the officers involved in the rescue effort.