Pier 2 at Kawaihae Harbor was closed for 2 1/2 hours yesterday as the Big Island fire department checked for a possible leak after a container fell on a load of termite fumigant that was being transported on a flat rack.

Concern that vikane, an odorless fumigant, might have escaped from its canister prompted officials to call the HAZMAT team to check, said Tammy Mori, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. The worry was that valves might have been damaged and gas might have been leaking, Mori said.

The barge was being loaded with cargo, including 12 canisters of vikane, at the time of the incident, she said.

The harbor was closed as a precaution from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for inspection, but no contamination was detected and the HAZMAT team gave the all clear at about 1:30, Mori said. The fire department removed the fallen container, she said.