Electrical fire disrupts traffic in Iwilei
The Hawaiian Electric Co. is investigating an early morning electrical fire that occurred in Iwilei.
At about 4 a.m. today, Honolulu firefighters responded to the fire inside a manhole on Alakawa Street near Home Depot. Honolulu Fire Spokesman Capt. David Jenkins said they cordoned the affected area and turned the scene over to Hawaiian Electric Co. by 5:45 a.m.
Light smoke was observed emanating from the manhole.
Fran Mareko, assistant store manager at Home Depot, said sales associates observed flames and smoke emerging from the manhole at about 4:20 a.m.
Police closed a section of Alakawa Street between Best Buy and Home Depot at about 4:30 a.m.
HECO Spokeswoman Shannon Tangonan said a downed power line on Kuwili Street in Iwilei that’s somehow linked to the fire has since been repaired.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
A power outage affected about 155 customers on Dillingham Boulevard, Nimitz Highway and Pacific Street at about 4:45 a.m.
Police reopened Alakawa Street near Best Buy just after 7:20 a.m. after a HECO crew completed repairs. Power was restored to all affected customers shortly after 8:35 a.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
