Industrial fire affects county metal recycling
The acceptance of metals and appliances at East Hawaii transfer stations has been put on hold because of a fire Wednesday morning at Big Island Scrap Metal, Hawaii County’s contracted recycling partner.
According to the Department of Environmental Management, effective immediately, metal and appliance recycling are temporarily closed at the following transfer stations: Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Volcano, Pahala and Waiohinu.
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The Pahoa, Keaau and Hilo transfer stations will continue to accept metals and appliances until the collection bins at these sites reach capacity. Once full, the metals and appliances sections at these facilities also will close temporarily
According to a Hawaii Fire Department statement, seven units responded to an 8:51 a.m. alarm, with the first unit arriving on scene at 9 a.m. at the recycler on Kalara Street in Shipman Business Park in Keaau.
Firefighters discovered that a large pile of scrap metal and tires was on fire. The pile was under a covered, open steel metal building. All employees were accounted for and out of the area, and the fire itself was contained to the pile.
The fire was reported under control at 9:20 a.m. and extinguished at 10:28 a.m.
Hawaii Police Department personnel closed down Kalara Street during suppression activities and assisted with notification of nearby businesses of a smoke hazard.
According to HFD, the actions of firefighters resulted in the preservation of about $625,000 in property value.
According to the county, once Big Island Scrap Metal resumes operations, metal and appliance recycling services will be restored, and the public will be notified.
For more information, contact the DEM at (808) 961-8270 or dem.hawaiicounty.gov.
