Kekaha homes evacuated Sunday, as firefighters and more contained propane leak

Kaua‘i Fire Department firefighters and utility crews contained a propane leak in Kekaha on the West Side of Kaua‘i on Sunday evening.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a natural gas leak on Kekaha Road near Akialoa Road shortly after 6:15 p.m. on May 19.

Personnel from the Waimea and Kaiakea fire stations, Hazmat 8, the Kaua‘i Police Department and the on-duty battalion chief responded to the incident.

According to a preliminary report, while en route to the scene, first responders contacted representatives with AmeriGas, who were sending a dispatcher to the incident. Upon arrival shortly before 6:30 p.m., first responders from a distance observed a small cloud of gas vapor from a 120-gallon propane tank.

With the assistance of KPD, KFD personnel closed a portion of Kekaha Road, from Akekeke Road to Akialoa Road. During the road closure, firefighters evacuated homes around a 300-foot radius on Kekaha Road near Akiaola Road.

Personnel with Hazmat 8 slowed the leak considerably but required assistance from AmeriGas to fully contain the tank. A technician with AmeriGas arrived shortly after 9:20 p.m. and fully contained the leak. With the help of firefighters, the technician loaded the tank away from the affected area. After Hazmat 8 monitored the scene to ensure gas levels were no longer dangerous, evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes.

Firefighters cleared the scene shortly after 11:45 p.m.