Fire causes $200K in damage at sports complex

KAPA‘A — An early morning fire destroyed a storage shed at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex that contained tens of thousands of dollars worth of youth football equipment belonging to the Kauai Pop Warner Football League.

The 10-foot-by-30-foot structure was fully engulfed in flames when Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel arrived on-scene around 3:30 a.m. The structure, which is considered a total loss, and its contents were valued at $200,000, the fire department said.

“We are deeply saddened by the destruction caused by the fire at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex, which resulted in the loss of the storage shed and youth football equipment belonging to the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League,” said Kennison Nagahisa, acting captain of the Kaua‘i Police Department Investigative Services Bureau, in a statement.

“We are actively investigating the cause of the fire, and urge anyone with information to come forward and assist us in our efforts.”

Firefighting personnel were fast to the scene, accessing the park from the Kapa‘a bypass with a fire engine and from Kahau Road and with a fire truck.

“A water supply was established, and firefighters formed attack lines to quickly knock down and fully extinguish the fire,” the fire department said in a statement.

Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors were also on-scene early Wednesday morning to conduct an investigation. The cause of the fire is also under investigation by the Kaua‘i Police Department.

The incident drew a stiff rebuke from Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo.

“My interest is catching the clowns that did it and prosecuting. That’s my interest,” said Rapozo in remarks made at the Kauai County Council meeting on Wednesday. “The equipment and all that stuff can be replaced, but these people need to be taught a lesson.”

Anyone with information about the fire is urged to call police dispatch at 808-241-1711.

People who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300. People can also submit a tip at cskauai.org or through the Crime Stoppers Kauai P3 Tips mobile app.

People wishing to contact the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League are asked to call Teddy Arroyo at 808-634-5635.

•••

Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com. Reporter Jackson Healy contributed to this report.
Source: The Garden Island