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COURTESY PHOTO
Fire rages early Sunday morning through the historic Goo Building at the corner of Kinoole and Haili Street in downtown Hilo. The destroyed mixed-use building housed businesses and apartments and was the former home of Petroglyph Press.
JOHN BURNETT/TRIBUNE-HERALD
The remnants of a structure fire at the corner of Kinoole and Haili Streets in downtown Hilo continue to smolder this morning as police and firefighters monitor the scene and state, county and utility crews work to restore basic infrastructure to the area.
COURTESY PHOTO
Firefighters worked on a structure blaze Sunday morning at the corner of Kinoole and Haili streets in downtown Hilo.
A fire destroyed four buildings early Sunday morning on Kinoole and Hiali streets in downtown Hilo.
The fire caused police to close multiple streets in the area, and the Hawaii Fire Department and utility crews remained on scene Sunday, sifting through the ruins and repairing damaged lines.
Police and firefighters responded to alarms and reports of the fire shortly before 1 a.m., according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The fire occurred at the corner of Kinoole and Haili streets, plus on the 100 block of Haili Street.
Police said arriving responders found four buildings engulfed in flames. The destroyed structures, which include the historic Goo Building at the corner of Kinoole and Haili, are zoned mixed use with businesses downstairs and apartments upstairs.
Police and fire personnel immediately began efforts to evacuate the affected buildings, as well as nearby residences and residential complexes. According to a county press release, the fire displaced seven residents and resulted in the evacuation of dozens of others from nearby buildings.
There were no fatalities or injuries.
Following the fire, county agencies immediately began working with nonprofits — including the Red Cross, Hope Services, the Salvation Army and Vibrant Hawaii — to provide shelter and meals for those displaced by the fire or those unable to immediately return to their homes.
Sunday’s fire occurred just a day after an early morning fire killed two people and displaced 28 others at the old Puueo Poi factory apartments just off Kekuanaoa Street in midtown Hilo. The displaced residents were assisted by the Red Cross and Hope Services.
The response and recovery efforts included a shelter at Clem Akina Park, which was relocated to the county’s Hoolulu Complex with meal service and showers. Transportation was provided by the county’s Mass Transit Agency.
By about 4 p.m. Sunday, evacuated residents were allowed to return, but the shelter remained open through the night for those who still needed assistance.
“Our community faced multiple tragic events this weekend, including the loss of two lives during a structure fire in Hilo on Saturday,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said. “On behalf of the county of Hawaii, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those we lost.
“On Sunday, a separate fire destroyed four buildings in downtown Hilo,” Alameda continued. “While we are grateful that no lives were lost, the impact on our community remains significant. I want to express my profound gratitude to our first responders who worked tirelessly and courageously this weekend to protect life and property. Your service is invaluable.
“I also wish to thank our nonprofit partners who are working closely with the county to provide essential support, including meals and shelter to those impacted. These fires remind us that our greatest strength lies in our dedication to our community and compassion for those in need.”
Firefighters prevented the Kinoole Street fire from crossing the street, which was critical as there are gas stations on two of the four corners at Kinoole and Haili.
At about 6:20 a.m., the flames were extinguished, and the ruins searched.
The fire was not declared contained until early this morning, when county Civil Defense officials earned that “the incident area is dangerous and may present hazardous conditions to the general public,” with nearby sidewalks remaining closed. All Streets in dontown Hilo, however, have been reopened.
Because of the street closures, the downtown Hilo Sack N Save and McDonald’s restaurant were among businesses that were closed Sunday by the fire.
Christine Reed, owner of Petroglyph Press — which was housed in the basement of the Goo Building until 2021 — and whose affiliated business, Basically Books, celebrated its 40th anniversary Saturday, described it as “shocking to wake up to the news of the fire taking down the Goo Building,” where the book publishing operation owned by Reed and her late husband, David Reed, thrived for 59 years.
“So many memories,” Reed said. “David and I lived in an upstairs apartment for several years there.”
Reed said that David Reed’s parents, Steve and Frances Reed, managed and leased out the Goo Building, which was built in 1942, for about two decades into the 1980s.
According to police, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Power lines were down and, as a precautionary measure, Hawaiian Electric Company shut down electricity in the area, leaving a portion of downtown Hilo dark. The power has since been restored.
The county Department of Public Works is assisting with cleaning up debris on the roadways.
According to the county, Haili Street between Ululani and Keawe streets and Kinoole Street between Haili and Waianuenue Avenue remained closed Sunday.
Police ask anyone with information to call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.