The first residents were allowed into their neighborhood Monday, more than a month after a deadly wildfire destroyed most of Lahaina, Hawaii.
began the painful journey home Monday, marking the first time they have been allowed inside the disaster zone to see their empty properties.
Re-entry comes after weeks of toxic cleanup following the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire that killed 97 people. It was one of three fires that terrorized Maui that day and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings, most of them homes. “People are taken aback by the extent of the destruction,” he said, adding that he saw one family pause in prayer before walking onto their property. “They are finally getting some closure.”
The Hawaii National Guard checks on a car passing the checkpoint on Kaniau Road, in the first zone to be cleared for re-entry, on Monday in Lahaina, Hawaii.Leading up to Monday’s re-entry, some residents had expressed trepidation not only about what they would see and what feelings would arise, but about the safety of the ground and air even after cleanup.
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