A 30-acre area stands charred near Mile Marker five along Maui Veterans Highway. The fire started on May 5 and was fully extinguished on May 7. The fire was one of four the Maui Fire Department has responded to this week. Photo courtesy Maui Fire Department

The Maui News

Maui Fire Department crews have been busy this week, responding to four fires, according to the Maui Fire Department (MFD).

A brush fire that started on May 5–in the fallow agriculture lands adjacent to Maui Veterans Highway–was officially declared extinguished around 7 p.m. Tuesday night, the MFD said of the estimated 30-acre fire that burned for two days.

“We have responded to two brush fires today (Wednesday) in the Piihana Farms area in Wailuku,” The MFD said in a press release. “The first fire was reported at 10:11 a.m. and extinguished at 12:55 p.m., involving about an acre of brush and an abandoned vehicle. A second fire was reported at 1:12 p.m. and was just extinguished at 3:25 p.m., it again involved brush and another abandoned vehicle in a different area.”

No structures were threatened by either of the fires, according to the MFD. The cause of both of these fires is currently under investigation.

On Wednesday at 8:13 a.m. MFD personnel responded to the report of smoke coming from a unit on the third floor of the Harbor Lights Condominiums in Kahului.

“Crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from a unit on the third floor and filling hallways and stairwells. Crews extended hose lines and attacked the fire, while other crews worked to evacuate building residents,” The incident report reads.

The fire was reportedly brought under control by 8:27 a.m.. Crews then worked to complete extinguishment and vent smoke from the building. The fire was fully extinguished by 9:25 a.m. and was contained to the kitchen area of the unit of origin.

One resident was displaced by the fire and was assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported. The fire did an estimated $20,000 in damage to the unit and $10,000 damage to the contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Engine 1 (Wailuku), Engine 10 and Rescue 10 (Kahului), a Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator all responded to the incident.