Structure at Commercial Recycling Business Catches Fire in Kea‘au

Kimber OConnell captured a photo of smoke from the structure fire in Shipman Industrial Area on Dec. 3, 2020. (PC: Kimber OConnell)

No injuries were reported after an open garage structure in Shipman Industrial Area Thursday afternoon.

The incident was initially reported to Hawai‘i Fire Department as a structure fire at 4:32 p.m. at the commercial recycling company, Business Services Hawaii in Kea‘au, 16-630 Kipimana St., which recycles plastics, aluminum and automotive vehicles and parts.

When crews arrived on scene, they found a garage shed on the property fully engulfed in flames. Black smoke could be seen billowing up to the sky by motorists on Highway 11.

A worker on scene told firefighters a vehicle was being drained of fluids when a spark from a cordless tool ignited the fluids. The flames spread to the rest of the vehicle and then to a small structure on the property.

Two 10×10 offices were saved. The estimated total loss is $95,400, according to HFD.

The fire under investigation.