A fire broke out at the H-POWER waste-to-energy facility in Campbell Industrial Park due to an explosion of a propane tank on Wednesday, Oct. 8. According to a statement obtained by KHON2, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) was dispatched after the incident was reported shortly after 11 a.m. Officials stated that the propane tank had been improperly disposed of, leading to the explosion and subsequent blaze within the plant's Waste Processing Facility.
No injuries were reported, although the fire caused notable damage to the facility's infrastructure, including the conveyor belt system and the electrical systems due to water damage. The city's Department of Environmental Services confirmed that while repairs are made, some refuse will be directed to landfills until H-POWER resumes full operation. The facility is known for processing a significant portion of the island's waste and converting it to energy, playing a crucial role in Honolulu's waste management ecosystem.
Response teams engaged in an "offensive fire attack" to suppress the fire located at the conveyor belt used for the movement of rubbish internally. As reported by KITV, the fire was brought under control by 12:21 p.m. and fully extinguished at 1:22 p.m. The operation saw a deployment of seven units and the involvement of approximately 23 personnel. Following the incident, the Department of Environmental Services is collaborating with Reworld Honolulu, the operator of the facility, to assess and address the damage.
The swift containment of the blaze by HFD ensured that what could have been a severe incident resulted in no harm to personnel; however, the mishandling of the propane tank raises concerns about waste disposal practices in the industrial park. The proper treatment of refuse, particularly items that pose a risk of combustion, is essential for the safety of the facility and its workers. The current investigation reveals a procedural breakdown that led to the propane tank finding its way onto the conveyor belt system and igniting, according to both firefighting crews and waste management officials.
