In deadliest wildfire in the US, at least 36 die in Hawaii island

WILDFIRES fuelled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane killed 36 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings on the Hawaiian island of Maui, in the deadliest blaze in the US in years.

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Rescuers searched on Thursday through the levelled, ashen homes and businesses of Lahaina, which dates to the 1700s, is the biggest town on the west side of the island and has long been a favourite destination of tourists. Firefighters still battled blazes on the island, as local officials prepared to evacuate thousands of visitors.