Biomass power plant blaze causes $500K in damage on Kaua‘i

KNUDSON GAP — A structure at a biomass power plant burst into flames in an industrial area on Friday afternoon causing an estimated $500,000 in damage.

The Kauai Fire Department (KFD) said firefighters were dispatched to the power plant site on Kuia Place at approximately 3:10 p.m. after receiving a report of an industrial structure fire.

“According to a preliminary report, upon arrival shortly before 3:25 p.m., firefighters with the Lihue fire station discovered the second floor of an industrial structure engulfed in flames on Kuia Place,” the fire department said. “KFD personnel with Rescue 3, Truck 3 and the Kalaheo and Koloa fire stations arrived shortly after. The fire was controlled and later extinguished.”

KFD Fire Prevention investigators took control of the scene and started an investigation into the incident once the fire was extinguished.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has been determined as accidental. The scene was cleared at approximately 5:55 p.m. An on-duty battalion chief and Kauai Police Department personnel also responded to the scene.