Hawai‘i Island police are actively investigating a structure fire that broke out last Sunday morning in Kealakekua. The conflagration was reported around 8:26 a.m., leading Kona patrol officers to the 79-7300 block of Māmalahoa Highway, where the second floor of a building was seen consumed by flames.
According to a report from the Hawai‘i Island Police, Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived swiftly on the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze. For several hours the incident prompted the closure of Māmalahoa Highway, specifically between Lehuula Street and Basque Way, hindering both vehicular and pedestrian travel until the late afternoon.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery as officials continue to probe the circumstances that led to this incident. At the writing of this report, there have been no reported injuries associated with the fire, and a cost estimate of the damages is still forthcoming.
Hawai‘i police are reaching out to the community for help and advise anyone with information to share their insight. Potential witnesses or individuals with pertinent details are urged to make contact with Kona Patrol Officer Cal-Jason Hoopai via phone at the non-emergency number, (808) 935-3311, or through email at [email protected].
