Maui Has Been Ravaged By Wildfires And Footage From The Island Is Terrifying

CARTER BARTO. Shutterstock Images.

AP- Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island, destroying parts of a centuries-old town and killing at least 36 people in one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in recent years.

The fire took the island by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood in Lahaina Town, which dates to the 1700s and has long been a favorite destination for tourists. Crews battled blazes in several places on the island Wednesday, and the flames forced some adults and children to flee into the ocean.

Absolutely crazy stuff coming out of Hawaii. That picture above couldn't look further from a town that resides in paradise. It actually looks like a village from Game of Thrones following a dragon attack or a city that had a bomb dropped on it. Instead it's another reminder of how vicious Mother Nature can be.

I was lucky enough to visit a few Hawaiian islands including Maui as a kid and I couldn't believe just how much everything actually lived up to the hype. Truly mindblowing beauty that you couldn't believe was a part of the same planet you lived on and super friendly locals that always greeted you warmly with a smile. To be honest the only negative I remember was the a tinge or more of jealousy that I had in my bones that I would be returning to New York in a week instead of spending the rest of my days in paradise. It truly was Heaven. 

However all the footage shared on social media the during these wildfires have has it looking like Hell.

Truly terrifying and horrifying stuff to go along with the report of at least 36 people dying due to the blaze. 

For anybody looking to assist by donating some money, the Maui Strong Fund has been set up to help the residents that have lost everything. Every little bit helps.