LIHUE — A stack of used appliances and other recyclables were damaged in a fire Sunday afternoon in Kapahi. One witness, Waipouli resident Su Haynes, said she saw the flames go up higher than one of the buildings and “heard
LIHUE — A stack of used appliances and other recyclables were damaged in a fire Sunday afternoon in Kapahi.
One witness, Waipouli resident Su Haynes, said she saw the flames go up higher than one of the buildings and “heard three tires exploding” after she had arrived at the Menehune Market about 4 p.m.
“It all happened really fast,” Haynes said.
A crowd congregated around the vicinity and watched firefighters extinguish the flames. At least one big fire truck, two smaller fire trucks and two KPD officers surrounded the area, Haynes said.
The fire started about 3:55 p.m. in a tented storage area in a parking lot behind Reynolds Recycling Center in Kapahi, said Kauai County spokeswoman Mary Daubert.
According to the Kauai Fire Department, the fire was concentrated in the front half of the tented area where refurbished household appliances were stored.
Roughly 24 of the 70 appliances and tent were damaged by the fire. Damage was estimated at $4,000, Daubert said.
No people or other structures were threatened by the fire, she said.
Haynes praised the firefighters who responded to the scene.
“They did a hell of a job,” she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Michelle Iracheta, cops and courts reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or miracheta@thegardenisland.com. Follow Michelle on Twitter @cephira
