UPDATE: One Dead in Kanani Road House Fire

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nAc5I7nphk /] By Wendy Osher

One person is dead following a morning house fire at 232 Kanani Road in Kīhei, fire officials confirmed.

Maui fire Capt. Kris Sakamoto said firefighters found the body of the resident within the home during their response.  She was the only resident of the house and was pronounced dead on scene, according to department reports.

Maui police have since identified the woman as 77-year-old Hazel Jones, and have classified the incident as an unattended death.

The fire was reported at around 5:44 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, at Kanani Road, just off of the Piʻilani Highway.

Kanani Road house fire, Jan. 3, 2014. Photo courtesy: Forrest.

Fire crews from Engine-6 out of Kīhei, arrived on the scene at 5:48 a.m. to find the 2,300 square-foot, single-story home already 50% involved in flames, according to Capt. Sakamoto.

The fire was brought under control at around 7 a.m., and the structure was “a total loss,” Capt. Sakamoto said.

Damage to the structure was estimated at $250,000, and damage to contents of the home was estimated at $50,000, according to department reports.

“Fire cause is undetermined at this time, and will remain as such until more info is obtained; but  from the information gathered during the investigation, the fire looks to be accidental in nature,” said Capt. Sakamoto.

Other units responding to the scene included Engine-14, Ladder-14, and Tanker-14 out of Wailea; and Engine-10, Rescue-10, and Hazmat-10 out of Kahului.

***Video Courtesy: Forrest Treadwell.

***Check back for further details, which will be posted as they become available.

Photo courtesy Kelley Kuhlman.