UH Manoa Fire: Transformer Explosion In Honolulu Causes Widespread Power Outage

An explosion reported at UH Manoa, Hawaii, with smoke visible for miles. In this photo, firefighters keep watch while fire and smoke burns beside a housing estate, as the Thomas wildfire continues to burn in Ojai, California, Dec. 9, 2017. Getty Images / Mark Ralston

The Honolulu Fire Department in Hawaii is battling a fire near the University of Hawaii at Manoa's lower campus which sent a large cloud of smoke over the H-1 freeway visible for miles Thursday evening.

Smoke and flames visible near the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Island News has a crew headed to the scene - stick with us as more information become available. pic.twitter.com/cJsMqsE43e
— KITV4 (@KITV4) April 20, 2018

Reports stated the fire broke out at a transformer at a Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) facility, on the makai side of Les Murakami Stadium near Koali Road at 6:47 p.m. local time (12:47 a.m. EDT). Hawaii Police have closed off all the roads in the area.

According to a report in Hawaii-based daily Honolulu Star-Advertiser, several witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion just before the fire. There was a power outage at the university's lower campus, which has left more than 3,300 HECO customers without power.

Fire spotted on the University of Hawaiʻi Manoa campus. An apparent explosion was heard by some witnesses. Stay tuned for more information. #UHManoa pic.twitter.com/TGShJkc9ut
— Ka Leo O Hawai‘i (@KaLeoOHawaii) April 20, 2018

A closer view of the fire that occurred this evening. Sent in by Ka Leo videographer Lindsay Rees. #UHManoa pic.twitter.com/e4SYbboZZL
— Ka Leo O Hawai‘i (@KaLeoOHawaii) April 20, 2018

The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined and no injuries have been reported as yet.

This is a developing story.

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