A house fire in Kula that displaced eight farmworkers caused $712,500 in damage, Maui firefighters said Wednesday.

The fire was reported at 6:48 p.m. Tuesday on Kamehameiki Road and destroyed the 3,000-square-foot farm dwelling. The cause is still undetermined.

Based on witness accounts, fire investigators said the fire apparently started under a covered storage area attached to the home. The flames grew and eventually spread to the structure’s living areas.

Firefighters extinguished it at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday but returned at about 5:40 a.m. Wednesday after the fire rekindled on the roof. Firefighters put out the flare-up at 2:40 p.m.

Eight residents living in the dwelling for farmworkers were home at the time and escaped without injury. The American Red Cross is assisting them.

Farmer faces 13 felony sex assault charges

HILO >> A prominent organic farmer from Maui has been accused of sexually assaulting four women when they were young girls.

The Hawaii Tribune- Herald reported Tuesday that 57-year-old Michael Martin Zelko pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court in Hilo on Monday to 13 felony sex assault charges in connection to abuse allegations made by four women.

The four women allege that Zelko abused them when they were 14 years old or younger.

Zelko is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for trial on Jan. 17.