Fire destroys South Kona home

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KAILUA-KONA— A man’s home on Rabbit Hill Road was completely consumed by flames after an accident with a wood burning stove early Friday morning.

KAILUA-KONA— A man’s home on Rabbit Hill Road was completely consumed by flames after an accident with a wood burning stove early Friday morning.

Firefighters responded to the 1:31 a.m. call and found the home engulfed in flames by the time the first unit arrived at 1:51 a.m. The narrow Honaunau road with low tree branches made access difficult, firefighters said.

Trucks were used to form a water shuttle to first prevent the fire from spreading, then extinguish the flame. The fire was under control by 2:30 a.m. and extinguished at 5.

The resident, Emilio Espinoza, told firefighters the blaze started because the stove tipped over and ignited the wood and concrete structure.

The property is described as a coffee farm lot owned by the Bishop Estate.