Firefighters respond to structure fire in Kealakekua

Big Island firefighters responded to a structure fire Sunday afternoon near the intersection of Highway 11 and Konawaena School Road in Kealakekua.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports that the call came in shortly after 4:30 p.m., with the first unit on the scene by 4:37 p.m. Upon their arrival, firefighters found the building fully engulfed in flames.

The about 900-square-foot building was unoccupied and not connected to any utilities. Firefighters were mostly concerned about heavy brush and trees surrounding the building being exposed to the blaze.

A total of four Fire Department units responded. The fire was brought under control by 5:30 p.m. and extinguished shortly after 6 p.m.

Fire personnel remained at the scene for salvage and overhaul operations, which were completed by 9 p.m. The last unit was back in quarters by 9:44 p.m.

The building, whose owner is unknown, was a total loss.

Highway 11, between Ke‘e Ke‘e Street and Onouli Road, was closed and motorists were detoured for several hours because of the fire. That portion of the highway was reopened before 10 p.m.