Deadly Christmas Eve fire in Ocean View under investigation by police, fire inspectors

Big Island police launched an investigation into a deadly early morning Christmas Eve house fire in Ocean View that killed one person.

Hawai‘i Police Department and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel were dispatched just after 2 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 24) to a reported structure fire at a residence in the 92-9200 block of Reef Parkway.

The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived.

A severely burned body was discovered within the residence after firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

How the fire started and identity of the victim remain under investigation. An autopsy will be performed on the body to determine the victim’s exact cause of death.

The residence and its contents — with an estimated value of $40,000 — were a total loss.

Detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section and Hawai‘i Fire Department inspectors responded to the scene and continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-960-3118 or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiipolice.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.