Hawai‘i Fire responded to blaze in Puna

An unpermitted structure was destroyed in an early morning fire in Puna.

The blaze was initially reported as a brush fire. Hawai‘i Fire Department responded at 5:59 a.m. in Pāhoa at Nanawale Estates. When crews arrived on scene they found a 20-foot-by-20-foot shack-like structure fully engulfed in flames.

According to neighbors, the area was frequented by squatters, and people were seen leaving the area.

No brush fire was found.

According to fire officials, other unpermitted structures on the property were threatened by the blaze. The fire was extinguished and salvage operations and a search were performed.

There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.