Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 75° Today's Paper


Top News

Coffee-roasting machinery sets off blaze and temporarily closes Kalakaua Avenue

1/2
Swipe or click to see more
LEILA FUJIMORI / lfujimori@staradvertiser.com Repairs were being made to the coffee roaster that burned this afternoon inside the Honolulu Coffee Company’s Kalakaua location, a one-story building. A spokeswoman for Honolulu Coffee Co. said the shop would reopen tomorrow. However, the strong stench of smoke lingered this afternoon inside the large shop, which includes a bakery.
2/2
Swipe or click to see more

COURTESY KALANI KA’ANA’ANA

Honolulu Fire Department firefighters responded to a fire in the roaster at the Honolulu Coffee Experience Center today. Firefighters checked the roof and building supports to make sure that the fire had not spread.

A fire that apparently started in the flue of coffee-roasting machinery created smoke and flames at the Honolulu Coffee Experience Center on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki this afternoon, temporarily shutting down the road between Ala Wai and Kapiolani boulevards.

According to the Honolulu Fire Department, the fire started in an exhaust system in the roof of the business at 1837 Kalakaua Ave., was under control at 1:37 p.m. and extinguished by 2:15 p.m. The road was reopened before 2:30 p.m. after being closed for less than an hour.

Repairs were being made to the coffee roaster this afternoon and a Honolulu Coffee Co. spokeswoman said the shop would reopen tomorrow. However, a strong stench of smoke lingered this afternoon inside the large shop, which includes a bakery.

Honolulu Fire Capt. Scot Seguirant said eight fire units and 28 firefighters responded to the blaze, which sent heavy smoke into the Waikiki sky near the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The restaurant was empty when firefighters arrived and there were no injuries, Seguirant said.

“There was some kind of issue with the roaster. We don’t know where in the process that it went wrong. Normally, it will vent through the exhaust on the roof,” Seguirant said. “It took us awhile to make sure the fire was fully extinguished because we had to make sure that there wasn’t any fire next to any roof supports.”

He said flames and smoke could be seen exiting the vent on the roof. Damage was confined to the roaster and the vent duct, he said, adding that the cause of the fire and estimated damage have not yet been determined.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.