‘Like a bomb went off’: Maui wildfires decimate historic town of Lahaina

Flames fanned by Hurricane Dora leap above buildings, leaving residents grappling with loss of life and homes

• Hawaii fires - latest updates

Lahaina, a historic town on Maui, has been decimated, leaving residents reeling at the loss of homes, nature and human life. At least 53 people had been confirmed dead by Thursday evening. The ashy, charred landscape has been described as apocalyptic.

Richard Olsten, a helicopter pilot for a tour company, flew over the fire site on Wednesday and said Lahaina looked like a bomb went off".