Dog Dies in Unattended Cooking Fire at Kula Home

Structure fire, Maui Now graphic.

A family dog died in a house fire reported Sunday evening, Jan. 17, 2016 at a residence on Kulalani Drive in Kula.

Officials say the fire was reported at 7: 59 p.m. at a two-story residential duplex unit.

Upcountry firefighters arrived on scene at 8:11 p.m. to find smoke coming from the first floor of the unit.

“Crews entered the home and quickly knocked down a fire found burning in the kitchen area,” said Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.

According to FSC Taomoto, the fire was classified as accidental and the cause of the fire was determined to be cooking materials left unattended on the stove.

The fire was brought under control at 8:16 p.m. and was called extinguished at 8:41 p.m. Damages were estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $20,000 to its contents.

FSC Taomoto said the occupants of the unit were not at home when the fire broke out and no one was injured; however, their family dog on the second floor died.

Firefighters from Kula, Makawao, and Kahului responded to the fire.