Pā‘ia Brush Fire Considered Suspicious, Homes Threatened

Fire crews responded to a brush fire in a fallow sugar cane field to the east of Ulumau Place in Pāʻia at around 4:27 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2017.

Neighbors reported seeing kids running from the open field just before the fire broke out. The fire was stopped about 10-feet short of the home on Ulumau Place in Pāʻia. PC: 7.9.17 Maui Fire Department.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 4:31 p.m. to find about an acre of brush and fallow sugar cane on fire and threatening homes on Ulumau Place.

Maui fire officials say the department’s Air-1 helicopter arrived just in time to provide water drops near a home about to be overrun by flames. The fire was stopped about 10-feet short of the home on Ulumau Place, according to department reports.

The fire was brought under control at 5:18 p.m. and called extinguished at 7:06 p.m.

A total of two acres were scorched in Sunday’s fire. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials say a total of about six homes were threatened on Ulumau Place. Some residents on Ulumau Place and Maoli Place were evacuated briefly, but were let back into their homes after fire crews got the fire knocked down soon after.

Maui Fire services Chief Edward Taomoto said the cause of the fire was undetermined but is considered suspicious. Neighbors reported seeing children running from the open field just before the fire broke out.

A battalion chief, three engine companies and a water tanker from Pāʻia, Makawao, and Kahului responded to the brush fire.

UPDATE: 5:25 p.m. 7.9.17, The fire is contained. Residents are back in their homes.

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