A fire early this morning destroyed an occupied home in the Papaikou area of the Big Island.

Firefighters from the Keahou station responded to a 1:27 a.m. alarm to find the 2,500-square-foot home at 78-502 Papaikou Road fully engulfed in flames.

Flames were free-burning throughout the entire single-story, wood-frame home and had already gutted the interior by the time fire crews arrive, fire officials said.

The fire was brought under control in 15 minutes and reported completely out in another 15 minutes.

Damage to the older home at the bottom of the Puuloa subdivision was estimated at $250,000.

As of this morning the cause of the blaze was undetermined and under investigation.