Posted at 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2001

Kaua'i rubbish fire burns five acres

Advertiser Staff

Kaua'i firefighters today were monitoring a rubbish fire in Kealia that burned five acres last night and was expected to smolder for several more days.

Three fire companies responded to the blaze at 3:40 p.m. and had it under control at 8:30 p.m.

Firefighters said the blaze could not be extinguished because water would not penetrate the rubbish pile, which was 20 to 30 feet deep in some places. A trench was dug around the heap to keep the fire from spreading.

The blaze did not threaten any homes or property.

Firefighters said the landowner had discarded trees and other material from a construction project and dumped the waste into a pile.