Hilo Information Update for October 16th, 2019

Vehicle (van) Fire at Prince Kuhio Plaza on Wednesday evening (October 16th).

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a vehicle fire fronting a business in the Prince Kuhio Plaza Wednesday evening (October 16th).

The initial call came at 6:50 pm and crews from the Haihai, Central, and Waiakea Fire Stations along with Battalion 1 had responded to the scene located at 111 E Puaianko Street at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Waiakea, South Hilo.

Upon the arrival of HFD crews, numerous witnesses reported a vehicle (described to be van) parked fronting a business located in the northwest section of the Prince Kuhio Plaza. Vehicle was fully engulfed and witnesses reported multiple small explosions. Flames were also beginning to encroach on awning fronting the business.

Once on scene, HFD crews immediately were able to gain control of the fire and had it contained to the van. HFD crews had the fire extinguished at 7:04 pm and remained on scene to complete mop-up and wet down operations.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Van was declared to be a total loss.