LIHU’E — A brush fire broke out in a vacant lot behind the behind the Lihu‘e Walmart Friday afternoon, causing an evacuation of the store and closing Ahukini Road. Kaua‘i Fire Department reported that the blaze began in a vacant
LIHU’E — A brush fire broke out in a vacant lot behind the behind the Lihu‘e Walmart Friday afternoon, causing an evacuation of the store and closing Ahukini Road.
Kaua‘i Fire Department reported that the blaze began in a vacant lot shortly after 1:12 p.m.
No injuries were reported in the roughly 10-acre fire, but officials report the flames came within approximately 100 feet of Walmart. As a safety precaution, police evacuated the retailer and shut down Ahukini Road between Kapule and Kuhio highways while firefighters worked to control the blaze.
One Walmart employee with 17 years of experience said this was the first time in memory that a store was evacuated because of a nearby fire. The associate said the store was cleared for a bomb threat two years ago.
The store was filled with people and most parking spots were filled with the early afternoon shoppers. An employee in the covered garden area reported a lot of smoke coming through the screens.
About the same time, Kaua‘i dispatch alerted Walmart of the blaze and the air conditioning system was turned off to prevent smoke from coming in the store, according to an employee.
“We heard ‘code red’,” the employee said.
When the order to evacuate came, some customers still wanted to be checked out at the cashier station before leaving, an employee said. In turn the customers were asked to leave their items and to head toward the door.
“I said, ‘let’s go!’” the employee said. “Your life is worth more than that merchandise.”
All in all, more than one employee said the store emptied without incident or injury.
After about a half hour, most of the customer cars had left the lot by 2 p.m.
It is not known if smoke caused any damage to the building or merchandise.
County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said the Kaua‘i Fire Department contained the brush fire at 2:15 p.m. Ahukini Road reopened at approximately 3 p.m. with police and firefighters still on the scene.
Under the direction of Battalion Chief 3, Engines and Trucks 2, 3 and 5 responded along with Rescue 3 aboard Air 1. Firefighters from the Lihu‘e Airport also assisted in controlling the blaze.
The cause of ignition is under investigation.
