A fatal structure fire occurred at the Wild Ginger hotel in Hilo yesterday morning.

South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i County Fire Department personnel responded to the scene while the building was fully engulfed and partially collapsed.

One severely burnt body was found after the fire was extinguished.

The case is being investigated as a fire and coroner’s inquest. The victim’s identity and cause of the fire are still under investigation. An autopsy is scheduled.

The structure and contents were a total loss, valued at approximately $1.4 million.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Robert Kamau at (808) 961-2384 or via email at robert.kamau@hawaiipolice.gov.