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Abandoned cars, tires, brush fed Wahiawa fire

COURTESY ANGELIKA DOROTHE VEACH

Smoke can be seen coming from a brush fire near Whitmore Village this evening.

A wildland fire burned about 75 acres Friday in Wahiawa, while consuming abandoned cars and threatening homeless camps in the area, Honolulu firefighters said.

The fire started at about 5:20 p.m. near Whitmore Avenue and Saipan Drive and forced police to close part of Kamehameha Highway for firefighters to battle the blaze.

Fifty-four firefighters with 17 units responded and were joined by federal firefighters in putting out the fire, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Scot Seguirant.

Heavy vegetation fueled the fire, along with abandoned cars and tires, Seguirant said.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 7:47 p.m. and fully contained it at 10:38 p.m.

No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened, Seguirant said.

Police initially closed all lanes of Kamehameha Highway from Whitmore Avenue to Kamananui Road and completely reopened the highway by 9:11 p.m.

The cause was not determined.

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