Kaua‘i firefighter receives minor injuries during response to Kapa‘a structure fire

One Kaua‘i firefighter suffered minor burn injuries from a flash fire while fire personnel battled a blaze Sept. 8 in Kapa‘a.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department was dispatched at about 8 a.m. Friday to a report of a fire at Kaua‘i Village on Kūhiō Highway. Personnel from the Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a and Kaiākea fire stations, Rescue 3, the Fire Prevention Bureau and the on-duty battalion chief responded.

Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered smoke with an activated sprinkler system in a restaurant at the shopping center. After inspecting the ceiling, an active flame was found, which was extinguished.

During an inspection of the building walls, a gas leak was also discovered after an unknown ignition source caused the flash fire that injured the firefighter. Because of 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, Fire Prevention investigators took over the scene to investigate. Firefighters cleared the scene shortly before 12:20 p.m.

Damages to the building and its contents are estimated at $50,000. No other buildings at the shopping center were damaged.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.