Firefighters contain fire at ABC Junkyard in Waiawa after explosions reported
WAIAWA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu firefighters have contained a fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at ABC Junkyard in Waiawa, an auto salvage yard with a history of code violations and prior fires.
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According to the Honolulu Fire Department, firefighters responded shortly before 3 p.m. to the property along the 800 block of Lehua Avenue.
Nearby residents reported hearing explosions coming from the facility as crews arrived on scene.
“There was a lot of explosions, big ones, you know,” said Andre Perez. “I can imagine acetylene tanks, something like that. Big, loud explosions.”
“There was probably at least eight, and then I left, I wasn’t going to stick around,” said Corrie Young. “I was scared, yeah. Really big explosions.”
Firefighters reported a large pile of miscellaneous recyclable material was burning. Wind from the south sent columns of thick black smoke over the H-1 Freeway and into Pearl City.
“Most of that trash looks synthetic. So this fire — the smoke was probably really toxic and it’s something that we’ve been expressing concern about for a long time, for over a year,” said Perez.
HFD said a total of 11 fire companies, including crews from Honolulu and federal fire agencies, responded to the fire.
“We’re lucky that it happened on rainy day,” said Camille Kalama, another neighboring resident. “Hopefully that helped dampen the fire. But this shouldn’t be happening in a neighborhood with residents all around us.”
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The fire was contained just before 5 p.m. Crews will continue to perform overhaul tactics to search for hidden fires to prevent rekindling.
Smoke advisory
The Hawaii Department of Health has issued a smoke advisory for parts of Pearl City due to the fire at ABC Towing.
DOH on-site coordinators were dispatched to the scene and are advising residents and visitors in the surrounding area, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, to take precautionary measures or leave the area until the fire is contained and the smoke subsides.
DOH advises individuals impacted by smoke from the fire at ABC Towing & Parts to:
No injuries have been reported.
Neighbors were also concerned that the dump is still operating, since they mentioned there was a cease-and-desist order.
“It’s permitted to be a junkyard for cars, automotive junkyard. But it’s been turned into a landfill where they’re receiving truckloads of roll-off dumpsters every day with mixed trash, construction trash,” said Perez.
“We’re getting bombarded by the smoke, by dust on a daily basis, by the noise, and just by the threat of having this illegal landfill right next door,” said Kalama.
The junkyard owner has said that he is still allowed to operate while he appeals the orders.
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