Kula Home Fire Results in $20K in Damage

A Kula home sustained $20,000 in damage from a fire reported just before midnight on Sunday evening.

The fire was reported  at 11:51 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 at a 1,500 square foot, one-story duplex located in the 1000 block of Polipoli Road.

Kula firefighters arrived in the area at 12:03 a.m. and did not see any signs of fire, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.  According to department reports, firefighters had trouble accessing the narrow driveway but eventually reached the home, made entry, and quickly brought the fire under control.

The fire was called extinguished at 12:34 a.m. Monday morning and no injuries were reported.

An adult male living on one side of the duplex, told firefighters that he called 9-1-1 and tried to put out the fire himself, but was unable to.

The other unit of the duplex which burned was vacant at the time.  Fire officials say the fire damaged a room in the vacant unit and also caused moderate smoke damage to a kitchen area.

Damages were set at around $20,000 to the structure and contents. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

The Red Cross is assisting those affected.

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