Firefighters extinguish structure fire in Kapa‘a on Sunday

Firefighters extinguished a fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in the former Otsuka’s building in Kapa‘a.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters from the Kaiākea, Kapa‘a, Līhu‘e, and Kōloa fire stations, including Rescue 3 personnel, AMR medics, and the on-duty battalion chief were dispatched to the scene at approximately 1:40 p.m.

Firefighters arrived on scene and discovered smoke coming from the second floor of the vacant building. Forcible entry was used to access the interior of the structure.

Once inside, firefighters found the fire located in the attic and it was spreading quickly. They brought the blaze under control and continued to extinguish all flames. Firefighters also ensured there was no fire extension in other areas of the structure.

Firefighters with the Fire Prevention Bureau arrived on scene to conduct an investigation on the cause of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing at this time; however, inspectors estimate damage to the structure and its contents to be roughly $60,000.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters from the Kaiākea fire station periodically checked on the building through the night to ensure the fire did not reignite.

Kaua‘i police closed Kūhiō Highway fronting the structure for approximately two hours while firefighters responded to Sunday’s incident.