HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR081718MachineoperatorhospitalizedfollowingexplosionfireatPuhiMetals04,
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA`I
KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: August 17, 2018
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Machine operator hospitalized following explosion, fire at Puhi Metals
PUHI — A 38-year-old male of Kalaheo was seriously injured Friday morning when an
item exploded and caught fire at Puhi Metals Recycling Facility.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., firefighters from the Uhu`e fire station were dispatched to
Puhi Metals after residents reported hearing a blast and seeing smoke coming from the facility.
According to a preliminary report, the man, who is an employee of Puhi Metals, was
operating an excavator shearer on a metal box — approximately 5 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3
feet high — when the box ruptured and exploded. The man remained conscious and immediately
jumped off the excavator to safety.
Once on scene, firefighters found that employees at the facility managed to bring the fire
under control using dry chemical extinguishers. Firefighters fully extinguished the remaining
flames and smoldering debris shortly after. The man sustained severe burns to his arms and
torso, and was transported by medics to Wilcox Hospital where he remains.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
Puhi Metals is closed for the remainder of the day, and the facility will determine
Saturday morning if it will reopen to normal services. Updates will be given when new
information is available.
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