Home in Ainaloa Subdivision Damaged by Fire

Fire Department inspectors are trying to determine the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a home in the Puna subdivision of Ainaloa early this morning.

Firefighters responding at 12:34 a.m. to the home at 16-2162 Hibiscus Dr. found about a third of the home in flames and its occupants already outside.

According to a spokesman from the Pahoa Fire Station, the flames were concentrated in the front and middle of the single-story, 1,700-square-foot home.

It took firefighters about 12 minutes to get the blaze under control and another 40 minutes to extinguish it.

The spokesman said the home did not have direct electrical service but was provided with power by an extension cord from a neighbor’s house.

About half of the home was destroyed, with the monetary damage estimated at $127,500, the spokesman said. Damage to the contents was estimated at $30,000.

It was unknown whether the house was insured.

The Red Cross was at the scene to provide occupants of the home with emergency assistance.