Hookena Information Update # 2 for December 15th, 2019

A residence destroyed in a fire in Ho'okena Sunday morning (December 15th).

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of a residential structure fire in Ho'okena, South Kona that started Sunday morning (December 15th).

The initial call came in at 7:42 am Sunday morning and HFD crews from Captain Cook, Keauhou, and Kailua Fire Stations along with Battalion 2 and HPD officers from the Kona Patrol responded to the scene located at the 86-4200 block of Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11) located just north of Ho'okena Beach Road in Ho'okena, South Kona.

Upon the arrival of HFD crews, occupants of the residence reported a fire started in a residence and all occupants had safely evacuated the structure and awaiting the arrival of HFD units.

Once HFD crews arrived on scene, the first arriving crews found the structure (described as a single-story structure approximately 45'x45' in size) fully involved with fire coming from all sides immediately went into a combination offensive/defensive mode of fire attack to gain control of the fire and prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent structures located near the structure involved. HFD Medics also evaluated 2 occupants from the residences for minor injuries and possible smoke inhalation, they did not require further medical treatment or transport.

HFD crews had the fire under control at 8:06 am and later had the fire extinguished at 8:27 am Sunday morning. Shortly thereafter, HFD crews were working on overhaul and salvaging operations. HPD officers had temporarily closed the southbound lane of Highway 11 (Mamalahoa Hwy) between Ho'okena Elementary School and Ho'okena Beach Road due to HFD crews utilizing the southbound lane to access a fire hydrant located south of the fire scene.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation, however, occupants mention to crews on the scene the fire started due to a candle next to a window. The structure was deemed a total loss and the American Red Cross (ARC) was assisting the effected occupants.