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A Pahala man was “clearing pests with a torch” late Sunday night and unintentionally set his residence on fire, according to a press release from the Hawaii Fire Department.

The man escaped uninjured from the burning Puahala Street house.

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Five units responded to the 11:46 p.m. alarm. The first arrived on scene five minutes later to find the single-story home 50% involved in flames.

The blaze was brought under control at 12:15 a.m. Monday and extinguished at 1:35 a.m.

Estimated damage to the property was $350,000, with $50,000 in property saved.

Firefighters found multiple propane tanks and gas cans inside the house and are reminding the public to use fire safely, store flammable liquids safely, and have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers installed and properly maintained within the home.