KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police are investigating a fatal structure fire that occurred in Puna early this morning.
Police and fire units were dispatched to the scene at 1:21 a.m. for a reported structure fire at a home on Ainaloa Drive in Pahoa. Responding units found a small detached studio fully engulfed in flames. After firefighters extinguished the fire, a body was discovered in the remnants of the dwelling.
The identity of the victim and cause of the fire are still under investigation. This is currently classified as a fire and an unattended death investigation being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Section.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jesse Kerr at 961-2379 or at jesse.kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. 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.