Wildfires take Maui by surprise, burning through a historic town and killing at least 6 people
Wildfires have devastated parts of the island of Maui in Hawaii, killing at least six people, damaging or destroying more than 270 structures and reducing parts of historic Lahaina to ash
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — The sky was dark from smoke and flames were racing through Hawaii's historic town of Lahaina when Kamuela Kawaakoa returned to his apartment after a quick dash to the supermarket for water with his girlfriend and their 6-year-old son. They grabbed a change of clothes and ran as the bushes around them caught fire.
Across the street, a senior center erupted in flames. They called 911 but don’t know if the people got out. Fire alarms blared. As they drove away Tuesday afternoon, downed utility poles and fleeing cars slowed their progress.
“We barely made it out in time,” Kawaakoa said at an evacuation shelter on Wednesday, still unsure if anything was left of their apartment.
At least six people were killed when wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, 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.
