KAILUA-KONA — Fire investigators are probing the cause of a structure fire Tuesday that damaged two homes in Ka‘u.
Responding to a 2:47 p.m. report, Hawaii County and volunteer firefighters arrived at 94-5755 Au Moku Place in the Discovery Harbor subdivision near Naahelu to find a 1,475-square-foot dwelling with flames visible from half of the structure, according to the Hawaii Fire Department, which noted a portion of the home’s roof had collapsed.
The volunteer company, identified as 11-Charlie out of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, was the first on scene to find the fire encroaching on a dwelling less than 20 feet away, according to the department. Firefighters quickly worked on exposure control to keep the fire from spreading until county crews arrived.
Once county firefighters from three different engine companies arrived, the fire was under control within 17 minutes. The fire was declared extinguished at 4:35 p.m.
No occupants were in either structure at the time of the fire, according to the department. No injuries were reported.
Damage to the single-story wooden structure that has a pool on the property was estimated at $221,250. The department said damage to the nearby home was “superficial.”