Damages could top $500,000 after fire burned a Kalihi warehouse used by two businesses Friday night, the Honolulu Fire Department said.

Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha said the first companies arriving on the scene at the corner of Republican and Mokauea streets “;were met with thick, heavy black smoke billowing from the roof of this warehouse.”;

Hazmat specialists were called in after the fire was under control to determine if any hazardous products were in the warehouse.

“;Isocyanates, which produces cyanide gas, was determined to be the most critical product consumed in this blaze,”; Kealoha reported.

After entering the building, firefighters set up ventilating fans to push the toxic smoke out of the building so they could find the source of the fire and extinguish it with hand lines, he said.

Nine fire companies responded to the fire after receiving the call about 10:30 p.m. and had it under control before 11 p.m. It was extinguished about 2 a.m.

Damage to the warehouse was estimated at $400,000. The fire also caused about $75,000 damage to the contents of the Ewa side of the warehouse occupied by Lava Lining, a company that specializes in bed lining for pickup trucks, Kealoha said. Damage to an adjacent business, specializing in marine engine filtration and water purification systems, had not been determined yesterday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.