An explosion was heard at a fire in Ninole in the Laupahoehoe district of Hawaii island.

The Hawaii County Fire Department said witnesses reported one explosion and that no one was home at 10 a.m Friday, when the fire broke out.

When firefighters arrived at 32-0659 Hawaii Belt Road, half the single-family house was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 15 minutes. It was extinguished at 14:59 p.m.

The structure is a wooden frame house on a concrete slab with a corrugated metal roof.

The cause is under investigation.

The fire department estimates the damage was $130,000 to $150,000.