Update: Human remains found following house fire in East Hawai‘i

This story has been updated to reflect additional information released by Hawai‘i Island police.

Human remains were found following the search of a home this morning that caught fire late Sunday night.

At approximately 11:13 p.m., Puna Patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported structure fire in the 17-4400 block of Huina Road. When they arrived on scene, responders found a single-story, single-walled, post-and-pier home with multiple pop-up tarps and two vehicles on fire.

The structure was about 70% engulfed, and a power line was down across the road, according to a news release from the fire department.

Responding officers contacted the owner of the home, a 79-year-old man, who reported that shortly before he called 911, his 76-year-old wife informed him there was a fire in their garage.

“The man attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher; however, the fire had already spread,” according to a news release from police this morning. “He reported being unable to get back into the residence to call 911, so he went to a neighbor’s home to request help.

“When he returned, he was unable to locate his wife and feared she may have been trapped inside.”

Officers searched the area but did not locate the man’s wife. After firefighters extinguished the flames, a severely burned body was found in the hallway of the main house, said Hawai‘i Fire Battalion Chief Matthew Ho.

The owner of the home also informed fire officials that gun ammunition was stored in various locations in the house. No bullets were found after an initial quick search, however, crews did hear the ammo popping off in the blaze.

There were no explosions, Ho said.

While the initial strategy to battle the blaze was offensive, firefighters switched gears to a defensive approach, which allowed crews to successfully contain the flames. Firefighters were able to save the sleeping area of the home from collapse.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel and Hawai‘i Fire Department inspectors responded to the scene and are continuing this investigation, which is currently classified as a fire and a coroner’s inquest.

The identity of the victim and the cause of the fire remain under investigation.

An autopsy will be performed later this week to determine the exact cause of death. The identity of the victim is pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

The structure, valued at approximately $224,000, and its contents were a total loss.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Daniel Tam of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2380 or email daniel.tam@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters may also call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.