At least 36 people killed in Hawaii's Lahaina fire, Maui County reports | ABC News

At least 36 people have died in the Lahaina fire in Hawaii, Maui County wrote in a statement posted to the county website.
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Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, 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.

Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.

271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured, officials said earlier.

Multiple neighbourhoods were burnt to the ground as the western side of the island was nearly cut off, with only one highway open and thousands to evacuate as officials told of widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbour and surrounding areas.

Officials said they were looking into witness reports of people being trapped in their cars.

At least 20 people suffered serious burns and were airlifted to Oahu, Hawaii News Now reported, citing officials.

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