No injuries were reported after Kaua‘i Fire Department firefighters extinguished a fire at the Līhu’e Civic Center late Wednesday night.
According to a preliminary report, Kaua‘i Fire Department received a report of a fire on Rice Street at the Līhu‘e Civic Center shortly before 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday,Sept. 9.
Crews arrived on scene to discover smoke from the Kāpule Building and responded to the blaze. The Kauaʻi Police Department blocked a portion of Kūhiō Highway until the Kauaʻi Fire Department extinguished the fire at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Sept. 10.
Crews cleared the scene at 2:45 a.m. to allow Prevention Bureau personnel to conduct an investigation, which is ongoing.
Personnel with the Līhu‘e, Kapa’a, and Kōloa fire stations, two battalion chiefs, Fire Prevention Bureau, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Kaua’i Police Department, American Medical Response, Hawai’i National Guard, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, and the Mayor’s Office responded to the incident.
Public offices and services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center will remain closed until further notice. Affected services include:
- Driver’s license and vehicle services
- Real Property Assessment and payment collection services
- Planning, building, and zoning permit services
- Solid Waste Office and sewer bill services
“Our island relies on the services in our Kāpule Building, from the Department of Motor Vehicles to Real Property to our IT services, we are heartbroken, but this is only a small hurdle as we continue on our path toward recovery with everyone here on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami.
Motor vehicle services are available at the Kapa‘a satellite Department of Motor Vehicles while the Līhu‘e office remains closed.
Preliminary figures on damage estimates and cause of the fire are ongoing. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
