An early morning fire caused $1.5 million in damage at a wholesale food distributor’s Lihue location.

Kauai Fire Department said that a stack of wooden pallets was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 3:30 a.m. at Y. Hata & Co. Ltd.

The fire extended into the nearby structure on Aukele Street. Firefighters from three stations got control of the blaze and extinguished it at 4:45 a.m.

Family of 4 displaced from fire in Eleele

Fire caused $300,000 in damage to a Kauai house Tuesday morning, displacing a family of four.

The Kauai Fire Department said a female occupant and a child escaped the fire without injury.

The other two residents were not at home when the fire broke out.

Firefighters arrived at the Eleele three-bedroom house shortly after 10 a.m.

The fire was brought under control within minutes and fully extinguished it at 10:30 a.m.

Deadline nears to swap access placards for decals

Residents of Wainiha and Haena have until Sept. 17 to exchange their access placards for vehicle window decals, according to a statement from Kauai Emergency Management Agency.

Kauai County began exchanging the placards for decals in August to cut down on a rash of placard thefts and attempts at unauthorized access to the area.

After the Sept. 17 deadline, placards will no longer be honored at the checkpoints.