A fire that started in a third-story apartment caused the evacuation Tuesday afternoon of a three-story apartment building at 270 Ululani Street near downtown Hilo.
“Everybody’s safe; the building has been evacuated,” Hawaii Police Department Lt. William Derr said at the scene. “Red Cross is responding to help anybody whose apartment has been affected.”
The fire, which occurred just a short block from the central Hilo fire station, caused white smoke to billow from the top story of the building. Numerous engine and ladder trucks and two ambulances responded, although there didn’t appear anyone was transported to the hospital.
Ululani Street between Ponahawai and Haili streets was closed because of the response and a patrol officer directed traffic at the corner of Ululani and Ponahawai.
A complete story will appear in Wednesday’s edition of the Tribune-Herald.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.