Many residents barely had time to flee their homes as the fire tore through the historic town of Lahaina on the Hawaiin island of Maui. The death toll is expected to rise as emergency crews continue to work
The death toll for the devastating wildfire that left a town little more than a smoking wasteland has risen to 36, the local mayor has confirmed.
Dozens were wounded and officials fear the death toll could rise as fire, fuelled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, forced people to jump into the sea to escape.
The fires whipped by strong winds 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. The town of Lahaina was devastated with 271 buildings damaged or destroyed.
“This is a deeply somber day,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. “The gravity of losing any life is tragic. As we grieve with their families, we offer prayers for comfort in this inconsolable time.”