Hawaii wildfire destroys historic seaside town

The combination of raging wildfires and hurricane force winds has virtually obliterated a historic seaside town in Hawaii.

The town of Lahaina, Maui is ‘almost totally burnt to the ground’ said Brian Schatz, a Hawaii US senator.

At least six people have died in Maui County.

The US Coast Guard said it rescued a dozen people who jumped into the sea to escape the Hawaii wildfire.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr said every boat in the Lahaina’s harbor was on fire.

The town had a population of 12,000.

There are currently thousands of residents without power.

The Transportation Department is assisting about 4,000 tourists to leave the island.

There are still three large Hawaii wildfires on Maui not yet under control, as well as fires burning on the Big Island.

All roads to Lahaina are closed to traffic except for emergency vehicles.

“Kahului Airport remains open. All non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged,” Hawaii DOT tweeted.

The town has a history dating back to the 1700s and is on the US National Register of Historic Places.