A fire at a Waiawa junkyard sent toxic smoke over Pearl City and the H-1 freeway, bad news for nearby residents who say the site has been a hazard for years.

• The blaze broke out at the ABC Towing junkyard on Lehua Avenue and was still smoldering into the night.
• Neighbors reported at least eight big explosions, likely from pressurized tanks in the scrap pile.
• Because much of the burning trash was synthetic, the smoke was toxic — the state told people nearby to close windows or leave the area.
• Eleven fire companies, including two federal units, fought the fire; heavy rain that day helped slow it.
• The state has fined ABC Towing hundreds of thousands of dollars since early last year for taking construction debris without a permit, and ordered it to shut down in June — the owner keeps operating while appealing.

Outlook: A contested case hearing on the shutdown order is still unscheduled, so the junkyard will likely stay open and neighbors expect more smoke and dust.