Fire damages mill equipment

Fire caused about $13,000 damage to equipment at the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.’s Puunene sugar mill about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Fire crews arrived to find a conveyor belt in the mill had caught on fire and ignited the bagasse that was being transported on it, firefighters said.

The sprinkler system was activated, confining the fire to the area around the conveyor belt.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire was accidental.

Get permit help at Maui event

Maui County will hold a Permitting Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the ninth-floor conference room of the County Building.

Those attending the free event should bring their building plans and any other supporting paperwork that may be needed to explain their issues.

The Permitting Open House brings together permitting officials from county departments including Fire and Public Safety, Water, Public Works, Planning and Environmental Management so people who need assistance with a commercial or residential building permit can get advice on the permit process and meet with county permitting staff in one location.

For information, call event contact Wendy Taomoto at 270-7855.