Fire officials are investigating the cause of a Monday evening structure fire off Plumeria Road in Kailua-Kona.
The fire, reported about 6 p.m., destroyed a shed/carport area, as well as a vehicle on the property situated on the corner of Plumeria and Pakalana roads in the Alii Kai subdivision, which is Kailua-Kona’s oldest subdivision. Hawaii County Fire Department firefighters managed to keep the fire from spreading to the main residence; however, some smoke damage to the rear of the home was visible.
No one was home at the time of the fire, one of the residents of the home confirmed to West Hawaii Today. Two dogs also escaped the blaze.
A nearby resident said he heard at least 10 explosions before seeing large flames and black smoke rising from the property. The thick smoke rising from the blaze was visible from areas throughout North Kona.
Plumeria Road, in the vicinity of Pakalana Road, was closed for about an hour while firefighters doused the blaze, which drew dozens of curious and concerned neighbors.