The death toll from a wildfire that reduced a historic Hawaiian town to ashes has risen to 36, officials said Wednesday.
“As firefighting efforts continue, a total of 36 deaths have been detected today amid the active Lahaina fire,” the Maui County government said in a statement.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that the fire began burning early Tuesday, threatening homes, businesses and utilities as well as more than 35,000 people on the island of Maui.