Ammonia leak closes
road near airport

The gas leaked from a
warehouse's refrigeration unit

---

By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

Honolulu police shut down a portion of Ualena Street near the airport for about an hour yesterday after ammonia gas leaked from a refrigeration unit at a fish wholesale company.

A 49-year-old driver for Fresh Island Fish Co. was taken by ambulance to Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi in serious condition after he inhaled some of the gas. He was treated and later released.

The refrigeration unit leaked at about 11 a.m. yesterday after undergoing maintenance, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kennison Tejada.

"When they turned the system back on, there was a surge. It probably blew out one of the solenoids. It was leaking from the solenoid," Tejada said.

Both of HFD's HAZMAT (hazardous material) teams and an engine company responded to the call.

Workers had already evacuated the warehouse on the first floor of the two-story building when firefighters arrived at 11:16 a.m., Tejada said. Ammonia, which is lighter than air, was still leaking, so firefighters evacuated the second floor as well.

Strong winds helped dissipate the gas.

Except for the road closure, no other businesses in the area were affected.

Fresh Island Fish was back in business after the ammonia had cleared out of the warehouse and workers isolated and repaired the leak.

Police reopened Ualena Street by 12:25 p.m.