Fire engulfs large scrap metal pile

Officials are investigating the cause of a scrap metal fire which broke out just after 1:30 a.m. Monday morning in Keaau.

Crews arrived minutes later to find the fire, a 70-by-60-by-10 foot scrap metal pile burning at 16-0168 Kalara St., encroaching on a diesel compactor and two heavy equipment excavators, according to a report from the Hawaii Fire Department.

Crews cut locks for access to the property and contained the flames about half an hour after arriving, the report said. The blaze was extinguished at 3:30 a.m. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused about $6,000 in damage.

As of Monday, the fire was still under investigation. The owner of a business near the location of the fire said she arrived to open shop later that morning and could still smell smoke.

Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.