A 48-year-old man is to appear in Hilo District Court on Monday on an assault charge stemming from a fight that sent another man to the hospital.

William Sutton of Hilo was charged with first-degree assault Friday. Bail was set at $5,000. He also was charged with contempt of court with additional bail at $450.

Police said they responded at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to a report of a fight at Mooheau Bandstand in Hilo. Police said a man had punched a 49-year-old Hilo man several times, causing serious bodily injury.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center and then transferred to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he remains in stable condition.

Fire’s cause unclear due to heavy damage

Fire investigators say they haven’t been able to determine the cause of a fire at a Nanakuli house Wednesday because of extensive damage to the site.

Fire Capt. David Jenkins said Thursday that damage was $180,000 to the house at 87-448 Hakimo Road and $10,000 to the contents.

Ten fire companies responded to the two-alarm fire at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday and found the single-story home engulfed in flames, Jenkins said. Firefighters brought the fire under control at 6:46 p.m.