American Red Cross provides after Kihei family’s two-story home destroyed by fire

KIHEI - The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing for six adults who had been living in a six-bedroom Kihei house that burned Sunday, causing $575,000 in damage, officials said.

No one was injured in the fire, which was reported at 4:05 p.m. at the two-story, single-family home at 265 Wainohia St., said Battalion Chief Jeff Shaffer.

He said the cause remained under investigation but was probably accidental.

Shaffer said the first firefighters were on scene at 4:14 p.m., with a command post set up two minutes later.

Firefighters brought the fire under control at 5:06 p.m. and extinguished it at 9:29 p.m.

Along with Shaffer, three engine companies, a ladder company, rescue and hazardous materials crews, and two fire investigators responded to the blaze.

The second floor of the house suffered fire damage, while the first floor suffered severe water damage, Shaffer said.

He said damage was estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $75,000 to its contents.

The American Red Cross, whose volunteers responded to the fire, was providing three days' housing as well as food, clothing and household goods for the family members.

The nonprofit organization provides assistance for immediate emergency needs to disaster victims.

Contributions to the organization can be mailed to American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter, 1063 Lower Main St., Suite C211-A, Wailuku 96793 or made online at www.hawaiiredcross.org.