Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Fire crews responded to a 5:18 a.m. alarm Wednesday (May 30) to Shipman Industrial Park for a fire at the Reliance Water Tanks warehouse on Kipimauna Street.

Firefighters arrived to find a 60×150 foot two-story corragated warehouse engulfed in flames and smoke. The warehouse was being used as a showroom, office, storage and manufacturing area for water catchment tanks, pumps and accessories.

The building suffered heavy damage to the metal beams and supports.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

POLICE MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a burglary and fire Wednesday morning (May 30).

At approximately 5:19 a.m., police and Fire Department personnel responded to a report of a structure fire in the Shipman Industrial Park. Upon arrival, they found a warehouse located on Kipimana Street fully engulfed in flames.

Investigation reveals that the front gate chain was severed to gain entrance to the premises. One or more suspects entered the building from the rear by cutting a hole in the wall and then removed a flatbed pickup truck and some heavy equipment.

Police have initiated burglary and arson investigations.

Police are looking for a dark Ford 4-door pickup truck seen in the area prior to the fire.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.