![HAWAII WILDFIRES KILL AT LEAST 99 Devastation in Paradise](https://cdn.magzter.com/1452682922/1692275176/articles/rU9LpYACF1692338800456/HAWAII-WILDFIRES-KILL-AT-LEAST-99-DEVASTATION-IN-PARADISE.jpg)
It took only minutes for the picturesque landscape and swaying palm trees in the idyllic seaside Maui town of Lahaina to become a scene of hellish, fiery destruction on Aug. 8. As an unstoppable wall of flames headed her way, Lahaina resident Kelley Chapman tried to warn neighbors. "I was screaming and banging on doors, telling everyone, 'You need to get out. There's a major fire coming," says Chapman, 43, whose home and swimwear store were both burned to the ground. "I just knew that we were all going to lose everything." The blaze-which at press time had killed 99 locals and tourists, a number expected to rise-was fueled by dry summer conditions and winds generated from Hurricane Dora, located hundreds of miles south. More than 1,000 structures and numerous boats in Lahaina (pop. 13,000) were reduced to ash as the firestorm ravaged the community, forcing some to jump into the water to escape. "None of it's there," Maui County mayor Richard Bissen said of the town at a press conference. "It's all gone."
The days ahead will be especially difficult for locals many of whom are frustrated that the island's emergency warning system failed to alert them-as officials search for the missing, identify the dead and investigate the fire's cause. "We're still in shock," says Chapman. "It happened so fast." Here, in their own words, survivors share stories.
'Cars Were Exploding on the Street'
ANNELISE COCHRAN, 30, LAHAINA
This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![All About Tom Brady's Summer Plans & New TV Gig](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/5fmQIMwfd1718972235324/ALL-ABOUT-TOM-BRADYS-SUMMER-PLANS-NEW-TV-GIG.jpg)
All About Tom Brady's Summer Plans & New TV Gig
Tom Brady is doing just fine in retirement - if you can call it that. On June 12 the former NFL quarterback, 46, was inducted into the New England Patriots' Hall of Fame.
![Inside Billy Ray Cyrus's Divorceand Where Miley Stands](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/-oNb_21Gf1718971920462/INSIDE-BILLY-RAY-CYRUSS-DIVORCEAND-WHERE-MILEY-STANDS.jpg)
Inside Billy Ray Cyrus's Divorceand Where Miley Stands
Just seven months after Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose said \"I do,\" their marriage has come to an end.
![MISSY ELLIOTT'S SUPA DUPA NOW!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/UVP_sVw_z1718971392320/MISSY-ELLIOTTS-SUPA-DUPA-NOW.jpg)
MISSY ELLIOTT'S SUPA DUPA NOW!
THE HIP-HOP SUPERSTAR REVEALS HOW SHE OVERCAME HEALTH ISSUES AND ANXIETY FOR A BIG RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT
![MARIA SHARAPOVA - Still Winning!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/aHqNknHzJ1718971224384/MARIA-SHARAPOVA-STILL-WINNING.jpg)
MARIA SHARAPOVA - Still Winning!
JUGGLING NEW PURSUITS WITH RAISING SON THEODORE, THE TENNIS LEGEND OPENS UP ABOUT APPROACHING LIFE WITH THE SAME ENERGY SHE BROUGHT TO THE COURT
![JUDE LAW MOVIES OF MY LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/WKLIZi7KS1718970914745/JUDE-LAW-MOVIES-OF-MY-LIFE.jpg)
JUDE LAW MOVIES OF MY LIFE
HE'S PLAYED A ROGUE, A ROBOT, A SPY, A SEDUCER AND NOW A KING. JUDE LAW LOOKS BACK AT SOME OF HIS ALL-TIME FAVORITE ROLES
![SANDY HOOK SURVIVORS GRADUATE 'The Sorrow Has to Live Within the Joy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/La6unIv481718969389838/SANDY-HOOK-SURVIVORS-GRADUATE-THE-SORROW-HAS-TO-LIVE-WITHIN-THE-JOY.jpg)
SANDY HOOK SURVIVORS GRADUATE 'The Sorrow Has to Live Within the Joy'
THEY WERE FIRST GRADERS WHEN A GUNMAN MURDERED 20 CLASSMATES. NOW THEY'RE ENTERING YOUNG ADULTHOOD FOREVER CHANGED BUT READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
![DIANE VON FURSTENBERG WHAT I KNOW NOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/9_FQyhwCv1718969089391/DIANE-VON-FURSTENBERG-WHAT-I-KNOW-NOW.jpg)
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG WHAT I KNOW NOW
AS A NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE DESIGNER'S INFLUENCE ON FASHION AND CULTURE, SHE'S SHARING THE SOURCES OF HER INNER WISDOM
![THE JOY OF BEING AMY POEHLER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/jRlqU4uVP1718968735529/THE-JOY-OF-BEING-AMY-POEHLER.jpg)
THE JOY OF BEING AMY POEHLER
THE INSIDE OUT 2 STAR ON PLAYING AN EMOTION, RAISING TEENS AND MAKING THE VERY MOST OF VACATION
![Why I Believed Her](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/7TKgmY_x-1718968047443/WHY-I-BELIEVED-HER.jpg)
Why I Believed Her
Sherri Papini faked her own abduction and torture and lied about it to authorities-and her husband for six years. Now Keith Papini speaks out
![Princess Kate's Moment in the Spotlight](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/w3Oe5x3oD1718966320193/PRINCESS-KATES-MOMENT-IN-THE-SPOTLIGHT.jpg)
Princess Kate's Moment in the Spotlight
THE ROYAL MOM MADE A POWERFUL RETURN AT TROOPING THE COLOUR, RADIATING STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE ALONGSIDE HER FAMILY AS SHE CONTINUES TO UNDERGO CHEMOTHERAPY