Hawaii Wildfires become the deadliest in the USA in past century; Death toll reaches 89 I Oneindia

Hawaii Wildfires become the deadliest in the USA in past century; Death toll reaches 89 I Oneindia

A fire that swept through a picturesque town in Maui this week has killed at least 89 people, authorities said Saturday, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire of the past century.

The newly released figure surpassed the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which left 85 dead.

A century earlier, the 1918 Cloquet Fire broke out in drought-stricken northern Minnesota and raced through a number of rural communities, destroying thousands of homes and killing hundreds.

The new death toll Saturday came as search teams with cadaver dogs sifted through the ruins of Lahaina, four days after a fast-moving blaze leveled the historic resort town.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but residents are puzzled and angered over the lack of warnings.

Sirens stationed around the island - intended to warn of impending natural disasters - never sounded.

Alerts were sent via cell phones, TV and radio stations, but the reach was limited due to power and cellular outages.

Emergency managers in Maui were searching for places to house people displaced from their homes.

As many as 4,500 people are in need of shelter, county officials said early yesterrday, citing figures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pacific Disaster Center.

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