In a shocking turn of events, Lahaina, once the royal capital of Hawaii, has been reduced to a crematorium after a ‘fire hurricane’ tore through the town, claiming close to 100 lives and leaving more than 2,200 buildings in ruins. This deadly wildfire, moving at a mile per minute, marks the deadliest fire incident in the US in over a century, raising questions about the effectiveness of emergency response systems.
Residents recounted their harrowing escapes, highlighting the lack of official warning before the fire engulfed the town. Many assumed a power outage was linked to nearby Hurricane Dora and were caught off guard by the rapidly advancing flames. Although some received alerts on their mobile phones, the blackout limited the reach of these warnings, leaving many residents scrambling to escape without proper notice.
Early warning sirens intended to alert residents of natural disasters failed to sound, leaving Maui’s attorney general to investigate this alarming failure. The fast-moving fire overwhelmed firefighting efforts, with officials and experts acknowledging the blaze’s rapid pace outpacing their ability to respond effectively.
The transformation of Lahaina from a sunny beach town to a warzone-like site of devastation was described by survivors who witnessed the sudden darkness, thick smoke, and burning embers. As authorities grapple with the identification of victims, survivors have turned to a grassroots “coconut wire” network to learn about the fate of their neighbors and loved ones.
Amid growing anger and frustration, many evacuees feel abandoned and blame local and state governments for the escalating death toll. Lawsuits are being filed against the government for negligence and emotional trauma, as survivors seek answers and accountability in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.
Source: BBC
