HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi Police Department is investigating a deadly building fire that took place on the morning of Oct. 22 in Hilo.
HPD and the Hawaiʻi Fire Department first responded to reports of a fire at approximately 2 a.m. First responders arrived at the building to find it fully engulfed in flames, with part of the building already collapsed.
The manager of the structure told officials that eight rooms were occupied during the blaze, and two occupants were unaccounted for.
HFD worked to extinguish the fire, and found a severely burnt body during the process. The second unaccounted person has not yet been located, officials said.
HFD and police are working to investigate the scene, which is currently classified as a fire. The identity of the body and cause of the fire are not yet known.
The structure and its contents were determined to be a total loss, with an estimated value of $1.4 million.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Robert Kamau at (808) 961-2384 or at robert.kamau@hawaiipolice.gov.