A mulch grinder at the Big Island's Kailua Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer Station was damaged today by a fire that was prevented from spreading to an adjacent humane society facility.

Firefighters responding to the 12:18 alarm found the mulch grinder on fire and exposure fires in two separate green waste piles. The fires were pronounced under control at 1 p.m. and extinguished an hour later. Damages are estimated at $350,000.

Cause of the fire is under investigation and there were no injuries, said Kailua Fire Capt. Sean Sommers.