Posted on: Sunday, June 12, 2005
Makaha fire claims 50 acres, fire truck
By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer
A morning brushfire in Makaha Valley yesterday burned through 50 acres and damaged a responding fire engine truck.
Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser Nine engine units, four tanker units and an air unit responded to the blaze. The fire was out by 1 p.m.
No one was injured in the brushfire, which, at one point, came within 100 feet of homes along Manuku Street. Kane said the fire was probably intentionally set.
"Our guys indicated that as they were fighting the brushfire, there were other areas behind them that were starting," Kane said.
The damaged fire truck — engine No. 28 from the Nanakuli fire station — was a first-line unit being used by crews to fight the brushfire.
Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser Kane said the damaged engine unit would be replaced by an older truck that is "less dependable and not as in good condition. So that's a problem." A new fire engine typically costs between $200,000 and $600,000, fire officials said.
"This time it's a fire truck. ... Fortunately, it wasn't a home. The worst-case scenario would be somebody's life," Kane said. "So it's important to note that these brushfires should not be taken lightly."
Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.
The fire was reported at just after 9 a.m. at the end of Water Street, said Honolulu Fire Capt. Emmit Kane.
Firefighters carried back hoses yesterday after battling a brushfire in Makaha, at the end of a roadway named Water Street. At one point, the flames came within 100 feet of homes along Manuku Street.
"It received some burning and charring. It got exposed to some of the brush and it is out of service," Kane said.
Fire crews clean the hoses used to fight the brushfire. Officials say the blaze, which was reported at 9 a.m. and took about four hours to extinguish, may have been set intentionally.
