Fires at a Hilo restaurant and Kona residence deemed total losses by Hawai‘i Fire officials

A Hilo restaurant and Kona residence were destroyed in two separate fires on Sunday leaving three people displaced.

The restaurant fire at Poly Feng Yuan, located on West Kawailani Street, occurred early Sunday morning. When Hawai‘i Fire crews arrived on scene at around 6:20 a.m., they saw heavy smoke from within the building. Forcible entry was made through front door and suppression efforts followed using two 1 3/4-foot attack lines and one 2 1/2-inch attack line. The main area of fire was located in the kitchen area.

It took about half an hour to bring the flames under control. Heavy fire and smoke damage noted throughout the building. Fire officials say the building was a total loss with $650,000 in damage reported. The blaze is under investigation.

Later that night, fire crews in Kona responded to a structure fire on Tomi Tomi Drive at 9:12 p.m. Described as a one- or two-family dwelling, officials say the structure was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived on scene.

Crews didn’t clear the scene till 1:21 a.m. on Monday. Three people were displaced. Fire officials say the structure was a total loss estimating in $500,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Prior to the restaurant fire, crews also responded to an early morning blaze in Eden Roc at 5:18 a.m. It was reported that a three-story structure, located on Wailele Street, was on fire with flames visible. When crews arrived on scene, the fire was already put out. According to fire officials, the resident was home at the time and awakened by neighbors.

The blaze started on the ground of the carport and spread up the wall to the underside of the first floor and paneling. No one was displaced and the fire caused approximately $2.5 thousand in damage.

The cause of the fire undetermined at this time.