LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – At least 36 people have been reportedly killed and several thousand residents fled their homes after wind-fueled wide fire in the resort city of Lahaina on Hawaii’s Maui island.
According to reports, more than 270 buildings have also been damaged in Lahaina.
“As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire,” the Maui County Government said in a Statement earlier today.
The fires began burning early on 8 August, putting homes, businesses and utilities at risk, as well as more than 35,000 people on the island of Maui, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency revealed in a statement.
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The fires, fanned by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, sent desperate residents jumping into the ocean to escape the fast-moving flames.
A video posted on social media showed blazes tearing through the heart of the beachfront town and sending up huge plumes of black smoke.
“We just had the worst disaster I’ve ever seen. All of Lahaina is burnt to a crisp. It’s like an apocalypse,” said Lahaina Jarvi, a resident who escaped the city.
“Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced,” said Josh Green, Governor of the 12,000-resident historic town popular with tourists.
Adam Weintraub, of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in a statement with journalists said additional aid had reached the affected areas today. However, the fires affected access and communications in several areas, complicating rescue services and the delivery of aid.