KEN SAKAMOTO / KSAKAMOTO@STARBULLETIN.COM A wood and tin structure was fully engulfed by a fire this morning. It was unclear whether anyone lived in the building, but it was not occupied at the time of the fire.

Fire levels Papakolea building

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Star-Bulletin staff

Rain helped firefighters douse a blaze this morning at 417 Hiilani Street in Papakolea, but strong winds were not a factor because the fire was "down in a protected area," a fire official said.

"It might have been a different story if it wasn't raining," said Capt. Kenison Tejada, spokesman of the Honolulu Fire Department.

Tejada said firefighters arrived to find the wood and tin structure fully engulfed in flames. Access to the fire was impeded by a yard crowded with tires, tables and large appliances, including a refrigerator, Tejada said.

He said firefighters had to also make their way down a slippery, moss-covered wooden plank to access the structure.

The property owner was not at home, and it was unclear whether anyone lived in the structure, one of several surrounding the main one-story home, said Sgt. Maddie Morikawa of the Honolulu Police Department.

She said police would be trying to contact the property owner.

Eight companies and a battalion chief responded to the fire, which was reported at 5:37 a.m. and under control just before 6 a.m., Tejada said. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

Fire investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire.