Maui wildfire miracle with 60 survivors found in single home as death toll hits 110 - The Independent

Maui fires updates: Wildfire miracle with 60 survivors found in single home as death toll hits 110 | The Independent

Maui wildfire miracle with 60 survivors found in single home as death toll hits 110 – live updates

Video shows possible cause of Maui wildfires as authorities have begun releasing the names of victims

Ariana Baio,
Stuti Mishra Comments

A miraculous rescue operation has seen 60 survivors of the Maui wildfires saved from a single home that had been cut off since the fires first swept through the Hawaiian island.

It comes as the death toll from the disaster reached 110, with a painstaking search and rescue operation still underway.

The large group had sheltered in an isolated residence in western Maui that had been without electricity and mobile phone coverage since 8 August, Maui County mayor Richard Bisset said.

Some areas of Maui are beginning to reopen but officials estimate that 1,300 residents remain unaccounted for.

Hawaii governor Josh Green said yesterday that just 35 per cent of the burned-out area had been searched, and he expects the death toll to rise further in the coming days.

The official cause of the fires hasn’t been determined, but security footage of a tree falling on a power line in a Maui bird sanctuary is being investigated as a possible trigger for the fires.

Others point to the role of downed power lines elsewhere on the island and flammable grasses.

The fires have caused an estimated $3.2bn in property damage.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Maui on Monday 21 August, amid criticism of the White House's response to the disaster.
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How the Maui wildfires became fodder for conspiracy theorists

When Joe Biden announced the federal government’s latest aid package to families left homeless by the Maui wildfires on Monday, a seemingly innocuous turn of phrase sent conspiracists into meltdown, writes Bevan Hurley.

As with nearly every traumatic event, from natural disasters to school shootings, fake theories that sprung up immediately online followed a familiar narrative of climate change denial, government cover-up and in some cases antisemitic tropes.

Some suggest the United States military set off the blaze, or that it was part of an “elite land grab” possibly spearheaded by Oprah Winfrey herself.

Read more:

Space lasers and boat burnings: Bizarre Maui wildfire conspiracies

Viral claims that the deadly Hawaiian wildfires were started deliberately as part of a shadowy plot followed a grimly predictable playbook, Bevan Hurley reports
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ICYMI: Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home

Sixty survivors of the Maui wildfires have been rescued from a single home that had been cut off since wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island, officials say.

The large group had sheltered in an isolated residence in western Maui that had been without electricity and cell phone coverage since 8 August, Maui County mayor Richard Bisset said.

Read more:

Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home as search enters ninth day

Maui County mayor announces miraculous rescue as death toll increases to 106
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Scenes of utter devastation as Maui residents return to charred remains of historic town
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Governor Josh Green says 'mistakes happened' in wildfire response but defends efforts

From the decision to not use sirens to shortages of available water to fight the fire, state and local officials have faced public criticism over the response to the worst wildfire in US history in over a century.

The chaotic evacuation that saw many trapped in their vehicles on a jammed roadway as flames swept over them also led to several questions.

At a news conference, governor Josh Green was asked about that mistrust and how they can assure the public they will do all that's needed to help the community rebuild.

"Did mistakes happen? Absolutely," the governor said, adding: "You can look here to see who you can trust," referring to the police, fire, emergency and Red Cross officials standing behind him.

Herman Andaya, Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator, defended not sounding the sirens during the fire.

"We were afraid that people would have gone mauka," he said, using the Hawaiian directional term that can mean toward the mountains or inland. "If that was the case then they would have gone into the fire."

"I can't answer why people don't trust people," Maui mayor Richard Bissen said. "The people who were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes — 25 of our firefighters lost their homes. You think they were doing a halfway job?"
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Schools start to reopen after devastating fire

Public schools in Maui started the process of reopening and traffic resumed on a major road in signs of recovery a week after wildfires demolished a historic town and killed at least 110 people.

At least three schools untouched by flames in Lahaina, where entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ash, were still being assessed after sustaining wind damage, Hawaii Department of Education superintendent Keith Hayashi said.

"There's still a lot of work to do, but overall the campuses and classrooms are in good condition structurally, which is encouraging," Mr Hayashi said in a video update. "We know the recovery effort is still in the early stages, and we continue to grieve the many lives lost."

A man on a bike carries a cross in the north side of Lahaina, Hawaii
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Maui wildfire survivors face new threat from chemical contamination that could linger

Maui residents have been warned that wildfires burning since 8 August have contaminated water, air and soil and could pose health risks for months to come.

The deadly wildfires have claimed at least 99 lives, and destroyed an estimated 2,700 buildings around Lahaina containing hazardous household wastes, treated wood, paints and other toxic materials, officials said.

The Hawaiian Department of Health has warned that ash and dust from burned homes and businesses could contain deadly toxic chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic and lead.

They also advised residents to wear surgical masks such as N95s and goggles, gloves, and closed-toed shoes to avoid skin contact with ash.

They also warned people to avoid washing ash into drains or using vacuums that will stir up carcinogenic particles into the air.
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Horror drone footage shows historic town of Lahaina burned to ground after devastating wildfires

Chilling drone footage captured over the weekend showed what was left of Lahaina, the historic town that was incinerated when wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui.

All that was left of the razed neighbourhoods were smouldering ruins as some residents returned to survey the destruction.

Andrea Cavallier reports:

Horror drone footage shows Lahaina burned to ground after devastating wildfires

The death toll from the Maui wildfires has risen to 106 but is expected to increase as searchers continue to look for at least 1,000 people who are still missing
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Airbnb.org teams up with Hawaii governor to house victims

Airbnb.org, a nonprofit organisation that connects victims of crises to temporary housing, has teamed up to help house victims of the Maui wildfires that lost all of their belongings and homes.

The company will provide, free temporary stays for at least 1,000 displaced Maui residents.

“We are so incredibly appreciative of the outpouring of community support for Maui in offering their properities to house those deeply affected by the Maui fires. This is aloha in action,” governor Green said.

Those with homes that have a spare room can sign up to house another person on Airbnb.org or other people can donate on their website.
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Are downed power lines possible cause of deadly Maui wildfires?

Awakened by howling winds that tore through his Maui neighborhood, Shane Treu went out at dawn and saw a wooden power pole suddenly snap with a flash, its sparking, popping line falling to the dry grass below and quickly igniting a row of flames.

He called 911 and then turned on Facebook video to livestream his attempt to fight the blaze in Lahaina, including wetting down his property with a garden hose.

“I heard ‘buzz, buzz,’” the 49-year-old resort worker recounted to The Associated Press. “It was almost like somebody lit a firework. It just ran straight up the hill to a bigger pile of grass and then, with that high wind, that fire was blazing.”

Mr Treu’s video and others captured the early moments of what would become the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century. Now the footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause. Hawaiian Electric Co. faces criticism for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and keeping it on even as dozens of poles began to topple.

A class-action lawsuit has already been filed seeking to hold the company responsible for the deaths of at least 99 people. The suit cites the utility’s own documents showing it was aware that preemptive power shutoffs such as those used in California were an effective strategy to prevent wildfires but never adopted them.

The Associated Press contribute to this report
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Spam sends food to Maui amid devastating Hawaii wildfires: ‘We see you and love you’

Canned meat brand Spam, a beloved Hawaiian staple, has announced its intention to help bring food to the island amid the devastating wildfires.

In a statement shared to Facebook on 10 August, Spam, which is owned by Hormel Foods, announced it is partnering with humanitarian organisation Convoy of Hope to send more of the product to residents that have been affected by the wildfires across the state. The most recent death toll has reached 106 and is expected to rise as only 32 per cent of the burned area of Lahaina has been searched.

Brittany Miller reports:

Spam sends food to Maui amid devastating Hawaii wildfires: ‘We see you and love you’

Canned meat company is joining in efforts to assist wildfire victims