Kona Information Update for April 17th, 2019

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department responded to report of a shipping container fire at business located on 74-5400 block of Makala Boulevard in the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona Wednesday morning (April 17th).

Initial call came in at 1:46 am for a report of 40 foot shipping container on fire located at the businesses loading dock. Crews from the Kailua, Keauhou, and Makalei Fire Stations along with Battalion 2 and Fire Investigators responded to scene and as crews arrived on scene, they found the shipping engulfed in flames along with heavy smoke and crews immediately worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the businesses main structure and other adjacent shipping containers. HFD crews went into a defensive mode as a safety precaution after determining the container contained flammable materials

A local trucking company assisted HFD crews with moving the container away from the structure to prevent damage or spread and HFD personnel continued their focus to extinguish the blaze. It was later determined, the container was carrying propane and helium tanks at the time of the fire. Crews were able to have the fire extinguish at 4:30 am.

Crews later determined the fire did not spread to the interior of the structure and only caused damage to the exterior wall of the building and no one was injured as a result of the fire. After securing the scene and the container, HFD turned over the scene to Fire investigators and HPD detectives as they investigated the cause into the blaze.

Police ask that anyone who may have information regarding the incident to call Detective Dominic Uyetake at (808) 326-4646 extension 228 or via email at dominic.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov, or call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.