Hawaii Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Lai Street in Pahoa around 9:48 am this morning. HFD arrived on the scene at around 9:54 am.
Upon arrival, HFD found a single-story, 8′ high post, and pier residential structure approximately 95% engulfed in the fire. The fire also was threatening an adjacent residential structure, the surrounding trees, and brush. HFD contained the fire to the initial structure. Due to the high and unkempt yard, the areas of the structure were hard to access but HFD was able to get the fire under control by 10:15 am. And fully extinguish and overhaul the fire by 11:30 am.
Hawaii Police Department officers arrived on the scene and started gathering info from neighbors. The house was known to be occupied by squatters, but no one was found on the scene or in the structure. The scene was left in the care of the HFD Fire inspector and HPD.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation