Haʻikū Home Burned in Fire on Kauhikoa Road

Haʻikū structure fire. (7.13.16) PC: Maui Fire Dept

Maui firefighters responded to a residential structure fire on Kauhikoa Road in Haʻikū, after a neighbor reported it as a possible boat fire at 2:18 a.m. on Wednesday July 13, 2016.

Makawao firefighters arrived on scene at 2:29 a.m. and found a 1,100 square foot single-story residence fully engulfed in flames, according to department reports.

Maui police had already confirmed that everyone was out of the home when fire crews arrived. The fire was contained at 2:53 a.m. and called extinguished at 7:03 a.m.

Eighteen firefighters, including a battalion chief, rescue company, tanker, and three engine companies from Makawao, Pāʻia, and Kahului responded to the fire.

One of the occupants was awakened by strange noises coming from outside, and when the occupant looked out the window, they saw the carport on fire, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.

“Everyone escaped without injury. Two adults and two young children were home sleeping when the fire was discovered. A third child was not in the home at the time,” said Taomoto.

“Fire investigators do know that the fire started in the carport, but could not determine the exact cause. There was no evidence that the fire was intentional,” said Taomoto.

Fire officials say the home was a “total loss,” with estimated damages set at $220,000 to the structure and $75,000 to contents. Four cars and a shuttle bus parked outside sustained damages valued at $11,500. Department reports indicate that two cars and the shuttle bus were completely destroyed.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family with finding more permanent housing, food, and clothing, as the family lost everything in the fire. The family will be staying at a friend’s house in the meantime.
_______
PREVIOUS POST:

Maui firefighters responded to a house fire on Kauhikoa Road in Haʻikū early Wednesday morning, July 12, 2016.

Volunteers with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross assisted the residents affected by the fire by providing assistance with immediate emergency needs.

Organization representatives say caseworkers will followup with those affected in the coming weeks to provide referrals, guidance or additional assistance as needed to help with the recovery process.

Details about damages and department response will be released later today.  (Please check this post for further details, which will be updated as they become available).

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 online, or a brochure can be requested by calling (808) 734-2101 or your local Red Cross office.

The Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on public contributions to help others. Contributions are accepted via mail to American Red Cross, 95 Mahalani Street, Conference Room 3, Wailuku, HI 96793 or secure online donations can be made at the Red Cross Hawaiʻi website, or by calling (808) 739-8109.