HPD, HFD investigate fatal Hilo house fire
Police and fire investigators are investigating an early Sunday morning house fire on West Kawailani Street in Hilo that left a person dead.
According to a Hawaii Fire Department statement, 13 units responded to an alarm of a structure fire at 368 West Kawailani Street. The first unit arrived on scene at 3:17 a.m. to find flames venting from the front of the structure.
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The fire was reported under control at 3:25 a.m. and extinguished at 3:30 a.m.
A partial collapse of the front of the 30-foot-by-40-foot home hindered initial search efforts. However, after the collapsed area was partially cleared during suppression efforts, firefighters discovered a victim in the front bedroom.
The identify of the victim has not yet been released.
Loss from the fire is estimated at $90,000 while property value saved is estimated at $130,000, according to the Fire Department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
