Candles spark 2 Big Island fires
Candles were the culprit in fires that destroyed two Hawaii island homes over the weekend, county fire officials said.
The first started in Mauna Loa Estates in the Volcano area on Saturday.
Firefighters arrived just before 11:30 p.m. to find a corner house at 7th and Pearl streets in flames, a Hawaii County Fire Department news release said.
The residents escaped without injury and damage was estimated at $210,000.
Officials said the blaze was extinguished at 2 a.m.
Firefighters determined that an unattended candle in the bedroom caused the fire.
At 5:15 a.m. Sunday, crews arrived to find a single-story home on Alani Street in Hilo engulfed in flames. A woman was treated at the scene, and a man was taken to Hilo Medical Center for burns and smoke inhalation.
A candle was also the cause of that fire, and damage was estimated at $160,000, officials said.
Hawaii County burglaries rise
Burglaries in Hawaii County jumped in August.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports there were 142 burglaries islandwide, up from 95 in July.
Also, there were 15 burglary arrests in August, up from 11 in July.
"We’re putting a more concerted effort into the analysis of motives, patterns and the like, and we’ve gotten some excellent leads that have resulted in the arrest of some suspects," said Hilo police Lt. Greg Esteban.
Kona had 43 burglary reports in August, more than double the July total of 20. Burglary reports in South Hilo increased to 39 from 35. Puna also saw a slight bump to 33 from 29. The biggest jump was in South Kohala, where four burglaries were reported in July and 18 in August.
