Red Cross helping Big Island family who lost home in fire
Advertiser Staff
American Red Cross volunteers on the Big Island are helping a family who lost their Pahala home in a Saturday fire.
The Red Cross said one man was hospitalized at The Queen's Medical Center.
According to West Hawaii Today the man suffered burns after the home caught fire shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday.
Before Pahala and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park fire rescue personnel arrived, the man fled the home. A bystander took him to Ka'u Hospital and he was flown to Queen's.
The Big Island Fire Department said the man first- and second-degree burns.
Firefighters arrived at the single-story home to find it about 50 percent consumed in flames, according to the Fire Department.
The fire was extinguished at 5 p.m. Fire officials estimate damage at $140,000. The cause was under investigation.
Big Island Red Cross volunteers went to the scene to take care of the immediate emergency needs of the family, such as shelter, food and clothing. Caseworkers will continue to follow up with the family to further assist them.
