Fire Destroys Pāhoa Structure Known to be Occupied by Squatters

No injuries were reported after a Pāhoa structure when up in flames Tuesday, June 15.

Hawai‘i Fire Department received the report of the blaze at 9:48 a.m., located on the 15-2000 block of Lai Street. When crews arrived, they found a single-story eight-foot post and pier residential structure on fire.

An adjacent residential structure and the surrounding trees and brush were threatened by heat and fire.

“The exposures were protected and the fire was contained to the already involved structure,” fire officials reported Tuesday afternoon. “The fire was extinguished and overhauled but was difficult to access due to its height and unkempt yard.”

Hawai‘i Police officers also responded to the scene. According to information gathered from neighbors, police learned the house was known to be occupied by squatters, but no one was found on scene or in the structure.

It is unknown what caused the blaze and it remains under investigation.