12 New Year’s Eve Fires on Maui, 4 Fireworks Related

Maui Now courtesy image.

Over a 24 hour period beginning New Year’s Eve at 3 p.m., the Maui Fire Department responded to 12 total fire related calls.

Eight of the fires were confined to rubbish bins and were quickly extinguished.

There were also three small brush fires, and one reported vehicle fire.

Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said four of the fires were directly attributed to either firework use or the disposal of fireworks that were still smoldering.

In one incident reported 1:26 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2019, firefighters found a box of spent fireworks in a trash chute closet on the 5th floor of the Royal Mauian apartment complex in Kīhei.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and confirm there was no further fire extension in the trash chute and basement dumpster.

Damage estimates for the fires were unavailable at last report.