A report of a chemical odor in Kalihi on Tuesday turned out to be misapplied insecticide, a Honolulu fire official said.

Firefighters responded to an apartment building on Kaumualii Street, near McNeil Street, about 3 p.m. and identified the odor as malathion, an noxious-smelling chemical that had probably been applied in an overly concentrated manner, said Honolulu Fire Department Inspector David Jenkins.

A company of firefighters washed down the area and finished with the call in about 30 minutes.