On January 24, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 2:49 a.m. and responded to a refinery fire at Unitek Solvent Services, located at 91-125 Kaomi Loop in Kapolei, with six units staffed by 22 personnel. While en route, the first unit observed visible flames from a distance and the incident was upgraded to a second alarm, requesting additional resources. A total of 16 HFD units, staffed with approximately 55 personnel, and 4 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks from the Hawaii Department of Transportation, staffed with approximately 16 personnel, were deployed.

The first unit arrived on scene at 2:58 a.m. and found flames coming from the rear of the facility. After reports from employees on-site and upon investigation, it was confirmed to be a diesel fuel fire involving one of four 2,000-gallon tanks. Fire fighters ensured that all personnel were evacuated from the facility and secured a water supply to assist ARFF units with an offensive exterior fire attack. The ARFF units utilized their apparatus’ turrets to apply foam, while crews also employed handlines to directly combat the fire. Crews from the two agencies ensured that the fuel system was completely shut down and, through their firefighting efforts, successfully contained all leaking fuel. Although the fire primarily involved one tank, it also ignited several smaller fires in the contents of nearby 55-gallon drums, which fire attack crews mitigated to prevent further escalation.

The fire was 75% contained by 4:22 a.m. and fully extinguished by 8:45 a.m. All HFD personnel were accounted for with no reports of injuries.

The HFD Fire Investigator was requested to determine the origin and cause of the fire as well as provide damage estimates. An update will be sent out once the final investigation report is complete.