An early Sunday morning fire described as “suspicious” in origin at an eatery in Hilo’s Kanoelehua Industrial Area was extinguished by “good Samaritans” before the arrival of firefighters, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.
According to a written statement, eight units responded to a 3:28 a.m. alarm at Blane’s Drive Inn at 150 Wiwoole St. with the first unit arriving six minutes later.
Arriving firefighters noted smoke still wafting in the interior of the building, but the fire was already out, extinguished by private citizens who reportedly kicked in the door and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher found inside the building.