LAHAINA: The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark on Sunday, fuelling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life.

Officials updated the toll to 93 late on Saturday, but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned out homes and vehicles in the epicentre of Lahaina.

The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost completely destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early on Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings.

When asked on Sunday why none of the island’s sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state’s attorney general.

“I’m not going to make any excuses for this tragedy,” Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN‘s “State of the Union.” “We are really focused, as far as I’m concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies.“

More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless.

“The remains we’re finding are from a fire that melted metal,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. “When we pick up the remains… they fall apart.” Among the ruins in Lahaina, a town of more than 12,000 and former home of the Hawaiian royal family, an iconic, 150-year-old banyan tree remained standing but severely burned, a journalists saw.

President Joe Biden said on Sunday he was “looking at” the possibility of visiting the island.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2023