KAUNAKAKAI - A building containing the kitchen and laundry of Molokai's only hotel suffered $650,000 in damage from an early-morning fire Tuesday, a fire official said.
The 75-by-50-foot, two-story wooden structure was 75 percent engulfed in flames on the bottom floor when firefighters arrived at Aqua Hotel Molokai in response to a 3:22 a.m. alarm, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
Hotel guests were allowed to stay in their rooms as engine companies from Kaunakakai, Hoolehua and Pukoo fought the fire, bringing it under control at 5:40 a.m., he said.
After an investigation, the cause of the fire was undetermined and considered accidental, Mainaga said. Initial reports indicated that smoke was seen from the kitchen of the burned building, which also includes storage space.
No injuries were reported.
The hotel couldn't be reached by telephone Tuesday, but reservations for the property were still being taken by Aqua.
Damage estimates included $250,000 to the structure and $400,000 to its contents.
