Nāpōʻopoʻo home nearly a complete loss after being ravaged by weekend blaze

A husband and wife were forced to evacuate their Nāpō‘opo‘o home after it caught fire the evening of July 5.

Hawai‘i Fire Department reports no one was injured in the single-story, 3-bedroom house fire that ignited sometime about 6 p.m., but the post-and-pier wood frame structure with vaulted ceilings and open beams at 82-0954 Aka Ala St. was nearly a complete loss.

Fire Department personnel responded shortly after 6 p.m., with the first unit arriving by 6:14 p.m. at the home.

Heavy black smoke and flames were observed coming from the front, left and right sides of the residence, with the the heaviest flames and heat from the right.

Helpful neighbors had their garden hoses out to help upon the arrival of firefighters.

Three Hawai‘i Fire Department fire engines, one medic unit, one brush truck and the on-duty battalion chief responded along with 15 total personnel.

Once the fire was under control, the area that had the most damage was located near the home’s circuit breaker box and an appliance.

Hawai‘i Fire Department officials at the scene were unable to determine what kind of appliance it was and were unsure if the area with the most damage was used for cooking, such as the kitchen.

A Fire Department report said that across from that area was a porch, where the fire burned through the flooring only in the area adjacent to the room in which the circuit breaker box was located.

There were no furnishings in the main living room area that opened onto the porch, which possibly contributed to firefighters being able to knock down the fire quickly.

The blaze was put out just before 7 p.m., with the last fire unit returning to quarters by 8:22 p.m., less than 2 and a half hours after responding.

Damage was estimated at a total of $252,000, an 80% loss. The home was insured.

A cause for the fire is unknown.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.