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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Thirteen campers rescued from Big Island fire

Advertiser Staff

More than a dozen campers were rescued from a runaway brushfire on the Big Island Sunday evening, according to Big Island firefighters.

None of the campers was injured.

According to Capt. A. Albretchson of the South Kohala Fire Station, firefighters were called to a location close to the 10-mile marker of Akoni Pule Highway around 8:30 p.m. About five acres on the ocean side of the highway were ablaze and the fire was heading toward the ocean, he said.

Using four-wheel-drive vehicles to reach the campers, firefighters rescued 13 people in the path of the flames.

Four engines, two tankers and the department helicopter were all sent. Bulldozers were used to create fire breaks.

The fire was under control by 3:10 a.m. yesterday morning. By noon the fire, which had consumed 98 acres, had been contained.

Albretchson said the was "suspicious in nature due to multiple fires along the highway."

Fire officials were continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire.