At least six people have died and many have been forced to evacuate after a wind-fueled wildfire destroyed hundreds of buildings in the historic town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
“We’re still in search and rescue mode and so I don’t know what will happen to that number,” Maui Mayor Richard Bisson said.
The fire broke out in Lahaina, a tourist town of 12,000 on the northwest tip of Maui.
The mayor did not provide much detail about the circumstances surrounding the death toll.
The death toll was confirmed just before a news conference with officials. The mayor said there are too many people in the cars to include people who haven’t been to a shelter.
“The five shelters opened on the island are being used by more than 2,100 people, and some of them – along with several hotels – lost power,” Bisson said.
Acting Governor Sylvia Luke told reporters that some shelters had been “overrun” and tourists, who were still arriving on Maui Wednesday morning, were discouraged from visiting the island.
“This is not a safe place,” Luke said.
“We have resources that are being taxed,” he added.
According to the authorities, due to the flames, people jumped into the sea to escape the flames and smoke, people were forced to evacuate themselves. The Coast Guard rescued a dozen people in the town of Lahaina, JEE News reported.
Hospitals confirmed that they are treating burn patients.
Maui County officials reported Wednesday afternoon that at least 271 structures have been damaged or destroyed by wildfires in Lahaina.
“Extensive damage is being documented in West Maui town, harbor and surrounding areas,” the county said in a statement.
Governor Josh Green said in a statement that much of the town was destroyed and hundreds of local families were displaced.
Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin told The Associated Press that “traffic is heavy as people try to evacuate and officials asked people who were not in the evacuation zone to avoid the traffic surge.”
Officials have issued a notice across the island of Maui, advising people to conserve water and reduce demand on existing supplies as firefighters battle the blaze.
