Buildings have been left in ruin and family homes destroyed as a devastating wildfire tore through large parts of Hawaii. The destruction has been laid bare as photos and videos continue to emerge from the tourist hotspot.
The Maui wildfires have claimed the lives of at least six people with officials having confirmed a further 20 have been “gravely injured”. The wildfires have been dubbed as an “unprecedented disaster” for the island state.
Aerial images from Lahaina show the extent of the building damage caused to the historic town as it is all but destroyed. Properties as far as they eye can see have been charred on the image.
While a viral video shows a man lying in front of burned out cars as the smoke billows out into the background.
Around 4,000 tourists were thought to be on the island, looking for a way to leave before they continue to spread.
In total three wildfires hit Hawaii on Wednesday, August 9. People on the islands were spotted hurling themselves into the water in desparate bids to flee from the area.
President Joe Biden said in a statement Wednesday evening that he has ordered “all available Federal assets” to help Hawaii. The president said the Coast Guard and Navy are supporting response and rescue efforts, while the Marines are providing Black Hawk helicopters to fight the fires.
Tourists are all expected to flock to the Kahului Airport, where 2,000 people slept overnight in a shelter, in the coming days.
Mayor Richard Bissen Jr said: “I’m sad to report that just before coming on this, it was confirmed we’ve had 6 fatalities. We are still in a search and rescue mode.
“We’ve had many dwellings – businesses, structures – that have been burned, many of them to the ground.”
“Local people have lost everything,” said James Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “They’ve lost their house, they’ve lost their animals.”
Meanwhile Alan Dickar said he’s not sure what remains of his Vintage European Posters gallery, which was a fixture on Front Street in Lahaina for 23 years. Before evacuating with three friends and two cats, Dickar recorded video of flames engulfing the main strip of shops and restaurants frequented by tourists.
“Every significant thing I owned burned down today,” he told the Associated Press.
Kahului Airport, the main airport in Maui, was sheltering 2,000 travelers whose flights were canceled or who recently arrived on the island, the county said.
Officials were preparing the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu to take in up to 4,000 displaced tourists and locals.
