"WAILUKU, Hawaii — Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island, destroying parts of a centuries-old town and killing at least 36 people in one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in recent years.
The fire took the island by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood in Lahaina Town, which dates to the 1700s and has long been a favorite destination for tourists. Crews battled blazes in several places on the island Wednesday, and the flames forced some adults and children to flee into the ocean.
At least 36 people have died, according to a statement from Maui County late Wednesday that said no other details were available. Officials said earlier that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured. The 2018 Camp Fire in California killed at least 85 people, destroyed nearly 19,000 homes, businesses and other buildings, and virtually razed the town of Paradise."
SEE ALSO:
"What’s driving Maui’s devastating fires, and how climate change is fueling those conditions" (AP)
"Help Is Desperately Needed In Hawaii. Here’s What You Can Do" (CNN)
"What Caused Maui’s Devastating Wildfires?" (Scientific American)
"Maui Fires Live Updates: 36 Dead As Thousands Flee 'Unprecedented' Disaster" (NBC News)
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