Several small explosions were heard after flames broke out at a property in the Orchidland subdivision of Puna late Thursday, the Hawaii County Fire Department said.
Over a dozen firefighters responded to the initial alarm around 6:30 p.m. to a residence on 37th Avenue, where thick, black smoke could be seen.
A woman living there told the fire department that she was using a propane torch to exterminate ants and might’ve accidentally set pallets on the fire.
Officials said it was difficult to fight the fire because there was a lot of scrap metal in the area, including abandoned cars, appliances and animal pens.
All structures on the property were destroyed.
The fire department called the dwellings “improvised and unpermitted.”