Kitchen fire quickly extinguished at Chalan Kiya home

A kitchen fire at a Chalan Kiya home was quickly put out in the evening of Sept. 7 before it could spread, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

DFEMS public information officer Robert Mojica said DPS Dispatch reported a possible structure fire near the Palms Resort at about 6:47pm last Monday, prompting multiple units to respond.

Medic 4 from the Koblerville Fire Station was the first unit to arrive at 6:53pm. Firefighters saw black smoke coming from the single-story home but no visible flames. The occupants were already safely outside and told responders the fire was in the kitchen.

“The fire was immediately extinguished with a fire extinguisher,” Mojica said.

Firefighters then ventilated the home using a ventilation fan and spiral ventilation duct. The Department of Fire Prevention and Arson Investigation later arrived to investigate. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The incident came just days after firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in front of the old Kanoa Resort in Susupe.

DPS reported the vehicle fire at 10:34pm on Sept. 4. Engine 4 and Medic 4 were dispatched two minutes later, with Medic 4 arriving first at 10:42pm. The fire was extinguished and brought under control by 11pm. No injuries were reported, and the case remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, Mojica said DFEMS continues to coordinate with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to make sure fire hydrants have adequate water flow, an issue that became particularly important following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

“We always work with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and we have guys try and check out hydrants to ensure there’s water flow,” Mojica said.

He said water pressure was down immediately after Sinlaku, “but everything is up to par now.”