Flames from an exploding transformer scarred the Coral Street side of this building across from Fisher Hawai'i. The fiery blast damaged cars and caused a power failure that temporarily shut down operations at the Handi-Cabs of the Pacific office next door. Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

This Dodge Durango's rear window was blown out by the force of an exploding HECO transformer on the Coral Street side of a building at 670 Auahi St. No serious injuries were reported, firefighters said, adding that it was lucky no pedestrians were near at the time.

One door was hurled 15 to 20 feet over parked cars and onto Coral Street while the other landed about eight feet away, fire department and utility officials said today.

Five cars were damaged by the blast, including a passing sport-utility vehicle.

The HECO transformer was in a building at 670 Auahi St. across from Fisher Hawai'i. Witnesses reported that their lights flickered at about 2 p.m. before they heard a loud boom.

Peter Rosegg, a HECO spokesman, said the fire may have been caused by a faulty switch that ignited oil in the transformer.

Workers installed new equipment last night and determined that the oil in the transformer did not contain any polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, Rosegg said.

The driver of the SUV said that he felt one of the doors strike his vehicle, said Honolulu Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

"He said he stopped and felt something hit his car, and he was enveloped by smoke, and he could feel the heat from the flames ... on his face," Tejada said. The man was examined by emergency crews and released.

Luckily, Tejada said, no one was walking in the area at the time of the blast.

Stephanie Basque was working at Fisher Hawai'i and her Acura Legend was parked in front of the transformer doors. Her car was badly damaged by a flying door and flames.

The transformer was next to the Handi-Cabs of the Pacific business office. Lorraine Stringfield, office manager, said the fire and power failure shut down operations, temporarily stranding about 50 clients.

Handi-Cab employees set up a temporary office in a van and were busy using cell phones to call people and arrange pickups.

"We have clients that are still out at the doctor's office calling for returns, but we can't respond right away," she said.