Firefighters returned to the PBS Hawaii studio for a second time today.
Fire intially broke out inside the studio around eleven o’clock this morning.
Then about an hour after they left the scene, firefighters were called back.
They were called back after workers thought there was a flare-up.
That was around 4:30 this afternoon.
Police blocked off part of Dole Street during pau hana traffic, after firefighters returned to PBS Hawaii.
"More smoke was coming out of our building," said Paul Hayashida, PBS Hawaii Production Manager.
Turns out — it wasn’t a flare up, but rather some soundproofing material that was smoldering.
"Luckily the fire crew was good about being aware of not getting water on our gear, so they were able to let us take some of the stuff out before they applied water to the studio. We pulled out our cameras, our video monitors and our wireless equipment," said Hayashida.
Firefighters were first called to this building around 11 a.m.
Workers had been getting the studio ready for a taping of "Long Story Short" when a studio light popped, and a plastic covering over the light then caught fire.
"The ceiling looked like it was engulfed in flames at this point. I mean there was nothing we could do," said Dan Armitage, PBS Hawaii Production Technician.
Everyone in the building, and in the preschool next door, got out safely.
Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, but not before it caused at least a quarter million dollars in damage, according to initial estimates.
"From what I could see, it was the far side of our studio on the ceiling there was some damage up there," said Hayashida.
And he says there’s about a quarter to half an inch of water on the floor.
The PBS Hawaii studio is used for tapings not only of "Long Story Short," but also "Leahey and Leahey," and a variety of local music and arts programs.
Until electricians determine it’s safe to turn the power back on, the station will remain in the dark, and off the air.
Electricians and people from the insurance company are scheduled to come to PBS Hawaii over the weekend.
Police re-opened Dole Street around six o’clock tonight.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
