Wailuku firefighters put out a vehicle fire in the Maui Mall parking lot fronting IHOP on Thursday afternoon. A 26-year-old Wailuku man parked his 2017 Chevy Colorado in the lot and went into IHOP for a meal. Looking out the window of the restaurant, he noticed smoke coming from the direction of his truck, said Fire Services Chief Ed Taomoto. When he went outside to check, the man discovered that it was his truck. The fire destroyed the man’s truck, causing $45,000 in damage. Three other vehicles also sustained damage, valued at a total of $5,000. The cause of the fire is undetermined but it appears to be accidental, Taomoto said. Firefighters got the call at 2:34 p.m., were on scene at 2:42 p.m. and extinguished the fire at 2:55 p.m. Wailuku firefighters responded because Kahului engine and rescue crews were dealing with a traffic accident.

KELLY THAYER photo