An abandoned house on a lot between the access road to Rice Camp and Hoala Street in Lihu’e was destroyed by fire shortly before 9 p.m. Monday. Kaua’i Fire Department battalion chief Bob Kaden said 11 fire fighters, seven from
An abandoned house on a lot between the access road to Rice Camp and Hoala Street in Lihu’e was destroyed by fire shortly before 9 p.m. Monday.
Kaua’i Fire Department battalion chief Bob Kaden said 11 fire fighters, seven from Lihu’e and four from Kalaheo, were joined by volunteers from nearby residences in battling the blaze that was fully engaged when fire crews arrived on the scene.
Despite brisk winds, firefighters were able to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to the guinea grass that surrounded the abandoned house. By 10 p.m. the blaze was under control.
Kaua’i police units closed off access to Hoala Street, creating inconvenience for nearby residents. One witness, dressed to start work, lamented, “How can I go to work? I cannot get out.”
With no fire hydrant located near the blaze, crews set up a shuttling system, using a tanker on Hoala Street hooked up to a hydrant and pumping water to another tanker located closer to the scene.
Firemen faced the task of sifting through the collapsed corrugated iron roofing material and lumber, and worked to keep hot spots from jumping to the guinea grass between the scene and neighboring apartment buildings.
The abandoned house is owned by Peter Yukimura, owner of Koa Trading Company in Lihu’e. He bought the 5.29-acre parcel on Kalena-Hoala Street from William Hyde Rice Ltd. and became owner last November. Yukimura said he’s considering possible construction plans on the property.
Five structures were originally built at the site, three dating to 1920-21 one each from 1903 and 1930, according to county property tax assessment records. The structure appeared to be the last one standing on the lot.
Tuesday, Battalion Chief Mitchell Ikeda said the fire could have possibly been accidental, but that an inspector was completing an investigation and completing an damage estimate.
