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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 21, 2007

Stinky fish prompt emergency call

Advertiser Staff

Honolulu Fire Department engine companies and a hazardous waste team responded to reports of a chemical spill on Robello Lane near King Street at around 9:30 a.m. yesterday.

Firefighters found no hazardous chemicals. Instead, they discovered that the source of a noxious odor was a Dumpster filled with seafood that had spoiled after a commercial portable freezer had gone out the day before.

Workers with the business that owned the freezer had double-bagged the fish before placing it in the Dumpster, but the container had apparently not been emptied as scheduled and the seafood had rotted.

One area resident complained of feeling ill because of the odor. Emergency Medical Services personnel treated the man, who refused further medical treatment.

Firefighters instructed the business' workers on how to clean and wash down the affected area. They also blocked a nearby storm drain with an absorbent gutter boom to keep the resulting fluids out of the drainage system.