Officials in Maui County on Wednesday said the Lahaina fire in Hawaii has killed at least 36 people and left hundreds of structures destroyed or damaged.
Officials said earlier that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured.
Wildfires in Hawaii fanned by strong winds burned multiple structures in areas, including the historic town Lahaina, forcing evacuations and closing schools in several communities Wednesday, and rescuers pulled a dozen people escaping smoke and flames from the ocean. The Coast Guard said it rescued 14 people who jumped into the water to escape flames and smoke, including two children.People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday.County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists.
Crews continued to battle blazes in several places on the island as authorities urged visitors to stay away.reports that windy conditions are expected to subside as the gradient between the ridge of high pressure and Dora weakens over the next few days. Aerial video of Lahaina showed dozens of homes and businesses razed, including on Front Street, where tourists once gathered to shop and dine. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront, boats in the harbor were scorched, and gray smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
36 people have died from the wildfires in Hawaii, Maui County officials say | CNNAt least 36 people have died following catastrophic wildfires across Maui, according to county officials
Read more »
At least 36 people have died on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, county reportsThe 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.
Read more »
At least 36 people have died on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, county reportsSeveral 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.
Read more »
Officials: At least 36 killed on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, thousands race to escapeAuthorities warned that the death toll could rise, with the fires still burning and teams spreading out to search charred areas.
Read more »
Hawaii fires: At least 53 dead in fires Maui wildfires, county reports; Lahaina decimatedScorched earth and destroyed homes are seen in the aftermath of deadly wildfires in Hawaii. 💔 At least 36 people have died from the wildfires on Maui and much of the historic town of Lahaina has been 'destroyed,' officials say.
Read more »
At least 53 people killed in Hawaii wildfires, Maui county saysThe death toll has risen to 53 people in the catastrophic wildfires scorching Maui, officials said Thursday. Follow here for live updates.
Read more »