Maui Wildfires Death Toll Rises to 55

The death toll from the wildfires on Hawaii’s Maui island has risen to at least 55 and is expected to increase as search teams prepare to comb through the charred ruins of a historic resort town for more victims.

The wildfires started on Tuesday and have reduced the town of Lahaina to piles of smoldering debris, 1,000 buildings, incinerated cars, and left thousands homeless, Reuters reported.

Local officials have called it the worst natural disaster in the state’s history.

Cadaver dogs were brought in from California and Washington state to assist in the search for human remains from the infernos and firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots and smaller fires.

The fire is 80 percent contained, officials added.

“Understand this: Lahaina Town is hallowed, sacred ground right now,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said, referring to human remains that have yet to be recovered. “We have to get them out.”

Officials are also drafting a plan to house the newly homeless in hotels and tourist rental properties, with the island currently having four shelters in operation for the displaced, the outlet reported.

Authorities are also working on the widespread power and water issues. As of Friday morning, some 11,000 homes and businesses remained without power, according to Poweroutage.us.

Witnesses have spoken out about the fire, saying they happened without warning and consumed a town in what many said happened in a matter of minutes. Some escaped the racing flames by jumping into the Pacific Ocean.

Questions remain about whether a siren system intended to warn residents of danger ever sounded.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen told NBC’s “Today” show that he did not know whether the sirens went off but did say that the fire moved very quickly due to powerful gusts from a hurricane passing well south of the Hawaiian archipelago.

“I think this was an impossible situation,” he said.

Thousands of tourists and locals were evacuated from Maui’s west side, with some taking shelter on the island and others on the neighboring island of Oahu.

Tourists were placed l in the Kahului Airport as they waited for flights back home.

Many more people suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and other injuries.