Pāhoa Squatter Site Goes up in Flames

A single-story structure in Pāhoa was the scene of a blaze during the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 18.

The Hawai´i Fire Department (HFD) said in its official report that the abandoned residence, complete with a carport, appeared to be under the use of squatters based on evidence at the scene.

HFD responded to the initial call at 1:43 am Saturday, arriving to find the carport completely engulfed in flames with flame direct impingement on the main structure. There were no occupants within the abandoned structure and no other exposures were threatened, HFD said. The carport structure fully collapsed shortly after HFD’s arrival, and the Hawai´i Police Department subsequently blocked public access to area.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, though HFD estimates $300,000 in damages with only $60,000 in property value salvaged. The property owner remained undetermined as of Saturday morning.