Maui police and firefighters are investigating a possible liquefied petroleum gas explosion at a Kaanapali condominium common area barbecue that injured seven Thursday night.
The wounded ranged in age from 18 to 74 and three of them suffered critical injuries.
One of them was transported via medevac to the Maui Memorial Medical Center, according to a statement from the Maui Police Department.
“Witness statements indicate a possible grill malfunction before the incident. The official cause remains undetermined and is under active investigation,” according to MPD.
At about 6:15 p.m., MPD Central Dispatch received “multiple reports of an explosion” at 2481 Kaanapali Parkway in Kaanapali, The Whaler condominium.MPD patrol officers arrived at about 6:21 p.m.
Police worked with bystanders at the scene who had medical and first-responder backgrounds.
They provided “life-saving measures and first aid” until medics and firefighters arrived, according to MPD.
The emergency response included 10 police officers, three fire companies consisting of 13 firefighters, a battalion chief, and a fire investigator.
Emergency Medical Services sent four transport units, one non-transport paramedic unit and the Maui Medevac helicopter.
Soundless footage of the blast posted to the Maui 24/7 Facebook page shows a large plume of smoke at least three stories tall and debris shooting out from left corner of the condominium.
Beachgoers are seen rushing toward the site of the blast.
Nick Jackalone posted on the Maui 24/7 Facebook page that he “heard the boom from the hillside.”
“It was loud and shook our condo,” wrote Jackalone.
Danii Gurley posted that she was “watching the ems and cops flooding in.”
“I pray that everyone survives,” Gurley wrote.
