Fire destroyed a home on Halaulani Place in Hilo early this morning, leaving nine college students homeless, officials said.

The fire broke out at 2 a.m. and was under control by 2:35 a.m., Big Island fire officials said. The fire was out by 3:19 a.m. No one was injured by the blaze, but the Red Cross was brought in to assist the college students.

When firefighters arrived at the home on the rear lot off Halaulani Place, it was engulfed in flames. A structure at the front of the property and a detached garage on the makai side were partially burned.

Officials said they do not know the cause of the fire and would return to the scene this morning to determine the cause and to further investigate. Two vehicles also were damaged in the fire. The fire caused $300,000 in damage.