The Island Soap and Candle Works in Kilauea was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. Early damage estimates ranged from $80,000 to $150,000, according to Kaua’i County Fire Department officials. The store, the original in a three-store business that recently
The Island Soap and Candle Works in Kilauea was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning.
Early damage estimates ranged from $80,000 to $150,000, according to Kaua’i County Fire Department officials.
The store, the original in a three-store business that recently expanded to California, was located in the Kong Lung shopping complex at 2474 Keneke St. There were no injuries, and no damage to adjacent structures was reported in pre-dawn fire.
Fire investigators believe the cause of the blaze was a damaged transformer that was plugged into a wall outlet inside the store.
Investigators said there is “no indication of malicious intent.”
An employee of the nearby Pau Hana Pizza reported the fire at 4:30 a.m.
Firefighters from Hanalei fire station were on the scene by 4:40, but the 800-square-foot building was already engulfed in flames, according to officials.
They said the blaze was contained by 5 a.m.
The store was one of two for Island Soap and Candle Works on Kaua’i for the island-based company. The other is in Koloa. The California outlet opened two months ago.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
