Several thousand Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as the Lahaina fire swept across the island, killing at least 36 people and burning parts of a centuries-old town.
The fire took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.
“We barely made it out,” Kawaakoa said at an evacuation shelter on Wednesday, still unsure if anything was left of their apartment. The Hawaiian fires were whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south. It’s the latest in a series of disasters caused by extreme weather around the globe this summer. Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such events.
Tiare Lawrence was frantically trying to reach her siblings who live near where a gas station exploded in Lahaina.Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, from the Hawaii State Dept. of Defense, told reporters Wednesday night that officials were working to get communications restored, to distribute water, and possibly adding law enforcement personnel. He said National Guard helicopters had dropped 150,000 gallons of water on the Maui fires.
Among those injured were three people with critical burns who were flown to Straub Medical Center’s burn unit on the island of Oahu, officials said. At least 20 patients were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, officials said, and a firefighter was hospitalized in stable condition after inhaling smoke.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maui wildfires: People in Hawaii jump into ocean to escape; historic Lahaina town burningWildfires in Hawaii, fueled by strong winds, have caused extensive damage in areas including historic Lahaina town. Evacuations have been carried out and schools have been closed in several communities. Rescuers have saved a dozen people who were forced to jump into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames. A drone video shows the intense wall of flames in Kihei.
Read more »
Maui wildfires: People in Hawaii jump into ocean to escape; historic Lahaina town burningWildfires in Hawaii, fueled by strong winds, have caused extensive damage in areas including historic Lahaina town. Evacuations have been carried out and schools have been closed in several communities. Rescuers have saved a dozen people who were forced to jump into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames. A drone video shows the intense wall of flames in Kihei.
Read more »
Hawaii fire: Aurora family stranded on Maui amid Lahaina fireA family from west suburban Aurora is stranded on Maui as the Lahaina fire continues to rage.
Read more »
Maui fires: Videos show damage, destruction left behind in Lahaina after deadly wildfireIn several videos, flames can be seen overtaking buildings and lapping up against cars as residents try to flee the wildfire that has already claimed the lives of at least six people.
Read more »