Updated at 6:48 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Moloka'i brushfire contained
Advertiser Staff
KALUAKO'I, Moloka'i — Firefighters today contained a brushfire that began yesterday and burned at least 140 acres on Moloka'i's west end.County officials reported the 40 homes in the Kaluako'i area were not in immediate danger.
A preliminary investigation indicated the fire may have been accidentally started by workers for a private company cutting into an old radio antenna, said county spokeswoman Mahina Martin.
The workers tried to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames, but the fire spread too quickly under windy conditions, she said.
The fire was contained around noon, and the nine Maui firefighters who had been dispatched to assist their Moloka'i counterparts were sent home, said Battalion Chief Frank Tam.
