Big Island home destroyed in fire; no injuries reported

No injuries were reported after a residence in Ka‘ū went up in flames after a resident unintentionally caught their home on fire while clearing pests with a torch.

Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to the residence on the 96-3100 block of Puahala Street in Pāhala at 11:39 p.m. on Sunday. When they arrived on scene, firefighters found a single-story home on fire with flames spreading through the entire interior of the house.

The single occupant of the residence had already evacuated.

“Fire crews quickly attacked the fire from the exterior as well as making entry into the structure,” according to a Hawai‘i Fire press release Monday.

The blaze was eventually contained to the structure of origin with no damage spread to the surrounding homes.

The cause of the fire was reported to be accidental/misuse of equipment. Fire officials estimate the damage to be $350,000.

“In the process of extinguishing the fire, multiple propane tanks and gas cans were found inside the residence,” officials stated.

Fire officials remind the public to properly store flammable objects in proper areas. Also, to have smoke detectors installed and home fire extinguishers on hand.