Woman using propane torch to kill ants causes structure fire

KAILUA-KONA — A woman using a propane torch to kill ants may have started a fire that burned multiple unpermitted structures in Puna.

Responding to the 6:27 p.m. Thursday report, firefighters arrived on 37th Avenue in Orchidland Estates to find heavy black smoke rising and small explosions at a residence near 16-1590 37th Avenue, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.

Access to the structures was very difficult due to a large amount of scrap metal, and all the structures were destroyed, according to the fire department. The “small improvised” structures were unpermitted with abandoned vehicles, appliances, roofing materials, scrap metal and and animal pens.

According to the fire department, the resident told police that she was using a propane torch to exterminate ants and may have accidentally set wooden pallets on fire.

It took until 9 p.m. to get the fire under control and firefighters worked into the night to douse remaining hotspots.