Authorities Investigate Possible Arson in Pāhoa Structure Fire

Authorities are investigating arson as a possible cause for a structure fire in Pāhoa Wednesday.

An initial report came in to the Hawai´i Fire Department at 6 pm of a structure fire on Kahakai Boulevard. According to HFD’s official report, upon arrival responders found a two-story, post and pier, single family, wood-framed residential structure in the fully involved stage of fire development. The neighboring exposures were protected and the fire was contained to the already involved structure.

Multiple witnesses were at the scene, all of whom said they saw a female enter the structure, then a short time later they heard a “boom,” before watching the same female individual run away from the house. The structure was aflame a short time later.

Per information provided to HFD by the owner of the property, squatters were living in the house and were told they had a few days to vacate.

The fire was extinguished and overhauled. Hawai´i Police Department officers arrived on scene and started gathering information from neighbors, as the investigation into the potential arson continues.

The property, meanwhile, was valued at $230,000 and is considered a total loss.