At least 6 dead, communities decimated in Hawaii wildfires

At least six people have died in the wildfires that are ravaging parts of Maui, Hawaii, torching entire communities to the ground and leaving behind apocalyptic scenes of ash and debris, Report informs referring to CNN.

Richard Bissen Jr., the island’s mayor, announced the death toll in a news conference, but did not offer further details about the deaths and said authorities are still conducting search and rescue operations. So far, more than a dozen people had to be rescued from the ocean, among them two young children, Maui County officials said.

Several people are also unaccounted for, Bissen added. And many community members have been gripped with anxiety for their loved ones’ safety after flames began swallowing neighborhoods.

The fires on Maui started spreading widely - fueled in part by violent winds from Hurricane Dora, churning more than 800 miles away - decimating homes and businesses, launching urgent rescue missions, knocking out power and communication services, and even forcing some people into the ocean to avoid being burned.