Firefighters extinguish Kapa‘a building fire Friday

Published on September 09, 2023

KAPA‘A  – Kaua‘i Fire Department firefighters extinguished a building fire in Kapa‘a on Friday.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries. No other buildings were damaged.

Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a fire at Kaua‘i Village on Kūhiō Highway on Friday at approximately 8 a.m.

Personnel from the Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a,  Kaiākea fire stations, Rescue 3, the Fire Prevention Bureau, and the on-duty Battalion Chief responded to the incident.

According to a preliminary report, firefighters arrived shortly after and discovered smoke with an activated sprinkler system in a restaurant at Kaua‘i Village.

After inspecting the ceiling, an active flame was found, with firefighters extinguishing it. During an inspection of the building walls, a gas leak was discovered after an unknown ignition source caused a flash fire, causing minor burn injuries to a firefighter.

Due to the gas leak, nearby buildings were evacuated, Hawai‘i Gas shut off gas, and Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative turned off electricity in the area.

 After firefighters fully extinguished the fire, KFD Fire Prevention investigators took over the scene and conducted an investigation.

Firefighters cleared the scene shortly before 12:20 p.m.

Damages to structure and contents are estimated at $50,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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