Kauai Pasta sustains $200,000 in fire damages

Instead of the savory smells of garlic and Italian seasonings, stale smoke and soot filled the air after an early morning blaze yesterday at Kaua‘i Pasta in Lihu‘e.

According to county officials, the fire was contained to the kitchen in the empty restaurant. The interior sustained heat and smoke damage throughout as well as destruction to equipment and appliances. Damages were estimated to be around $200,000.

Kaua‘i Pasta General Manager Gino Quintana said an employee at the neighboring 7-11 reported the fire sometime after 5 a.m. Firefighters and rescue specialists responded at 5:33 a.m. and upon their arrival noticed flames coming from a side window of the restaurant.

The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes.

The dining area showed little damage aside from a thin layer of soot covering the tables, chairs, windows, walls and ceiling. Throughout the morning and afternoon, soot-smudged employees worked to wipe down what they could and mop the floor.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Becky Cameron, an employee who has been with Kaua‘i Pasta since it opened in August 2006. “But the Fire Department got here just in time.”

Officials said the cause of the blaze was still under investigation, but Cameron noted it might have been started by the ice machine tucked in the corner of the now-scorched kitchen. Cleaning up yesterday, she was surprised to discover a large pile of ice after opening the melted door to the machine.

Quintana said the restaurant should re-open in a few weeks. Until then, employees will have to figure out what they will do for income.

As lunchtime drew near at the popular eatery yesterday, employees had to turn customers away.

“Everyone is having trouble figuring out where to go,” Cameron said as she gave restaurant recommendations to would-be patrons. “They want to be here.”

• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com