Firefighters contain Kunia brush fire that threatened homes

Firefighters have contained a brush fire that scorched about 400 acres in Kunia.

Honolulu Fire Spokesman Capt. David Jenkins said the fire that started Thursday was “100 percent contained” just before 4:50 a.m. today.

There were no reports of any injuries or damage to structures.

More than 45 firefighters and 19 units responded to the blaze. Three helicopters also assisted with water drops to protect about 20 homes.

Fire Capt. David Jenkins said that homeowners had cleared a 50-foot fire break behind their homes, which made work for the firefighters much easier.

The fire came within 50 feet of some homes on Koke Place, Kuhao and Kuoo streets.

HFD responded at 11:42 a.m. to a 10-acre brush fire within an agricultural lot near the intersection of Kunia and Plantation roads. The first unit arrived at 11:53 a.m. and began extinguishing the flames and working to prevent the blaze from spreading.

HFD personnel and equipment were used to safeguard about 20 homes along the lower area of the fire and used fire hose lines and water drops from two HFD helicopters and one Honolulu Police Department helicopter.

“It looked like it was 30 to 50 feet away” from the homes, Katie Gowen, 21, a Royal Kunia resident said. “It was not as close as a fire two years ago, but it seemed like it could have gotten close at any second.”

Gowen was with her dad in Aiea when her mother called. Two hours later her mom asked them to come home in case something happened. They packed up the animals and the car and were ready to go in case they had to evacuate.

At 8:20 p.m., Gowen said the fire was mostly out near the houses, except for a couple of flare-ups. The fire was some distance away in the fields.

Jenkins said 19 firefighters and six companies stayed at the scene overnight to battle the fire.

Early morning rains played a major factor to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.