Hawai‘i Fire Department responds to fire at Hawaiian Electric substation in Kea‘au

The Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to a structure fire just before 6 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Shipman Industrial Park area in Kea‘au.

Upon their arrival at 16-0161 Wiliama St., firefighters found a 40-foot container on fire at Hawaiian Electric’s Pana‘ewa substation. However, they were not able to immediately begin battling the blaze because of a threat of high voltage being supplied to the structure.

Fire protection was established to any nearby structures exposed to the fire until Hawaiian Electric personnel at the scene advised power was disconnected and it was safe for firefighters.

The container was on a rolling chassis with 20 feet of additional sound suppression equipment. It also housed an electric generator and power transformers with a 1,000-gallon diesel tank.

Efforts to put out the fire were hindered because of the large amount of flammable liquids coming out of the structure and firefighters being unable to gain direct access to the blaze.

Nine Hawai‘i Fire Departments units responded, including two engines, one tanker, one medical unit and two others. The fire was put out by 8:30 p.m. and the last fire unit was back in quarters by shortly after 9 p.m.

Wiliama Street was closed while firefighters battled the blaze and traffic detoured to Melekahiwa Street until the fire was extinguished.

The cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $1.5 million in damages, could be a possible mechanical malfunction.