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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:24 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2008

South Kohala evacuees return home after brushfire

Advertiser Staff

Residents of a Big Island subdivision were allowed to return to their homes this morning after being evacuated last night and having to spend the night in a Red Cross Shelter at the Waimea Community Center.

The center closed at 7 a.m., Red Cross officials said. Thirteen people stayed the night as firefighters battled a large brushfire that threatened the subdivision on Kawaiha Road between Waiula Road and Anekona Street in South Kohala.

The Big Island Fire Department responded to the brushfire at about 10:30 a.m. Soon after, they evacuated the nearby subdivision and continued to fight the fires until after 6 a.m. this morning.

Two medical units, four tankers and six engines responded to the call.

Firefighters on the Big Island said residents of the subdivision acted quickly to safely evacuate neighbors and no injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.