By LESTER CHANG
The Garden Island (Kauai, Hawaii)
Kaua’i Fire Department inspectors yesterday initiated an investigation into the cause of a brush fire that scorched 200 acres northwest of Lihu’e and which could have threatened King Kaumuali’i Elementary School and some homes in Hanama’ulu had its progress not been checked. Employees at Kauai Fruit & Flower Co. were evacuated temporarily as the Tuesday-afternoon blaze raced toward the building.
The fire started shortly after noon Tuesday, and was stopped at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kapule Highway by county firefighters from all seven county fire stations, and with water drops by a helicopter from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility. The fire was put out by 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Had the fire not been stopped, it could have continued mauka across Kapule Highway, and could tinued have threatened King Kaumuali’i Elementary School (students return to school today after winter break) and homes in Hanama’ulu.
Full Story: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/01/05/news/news01.txt