KAILUA-KONA — A body was discovered in the rubble of a burned home Thursday in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision in Ka‘u.
The fire, reported about 9:40 a.m., destroyed a two-story, split-level home on Kailua Boulevard, northeast of Orchid Parkway, before firefighters were able to get the flames under control. Volunteer and county firefighters with the Ocean View Fire Station and from Pahala worked to extinguish the blaze.
After the fire was out, a body was located within the debris, police confirmed Thursday evening.
Hawaii Police Department Maj. Robert Wagner said the body was thought to be that of the homeowner. Detectives, he said, will have to locate dental records to make positive identification.
Bill Bergin, a battalion chief with the Hawaii Fire Department, said the body recovered is thought to be that of a 92-year-old man who resided at the home. The home, which collapsed on itself, was declared a complete loss.
Firefighters, fire inspectors and police remained at the scene as of press time Thursday night. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.