The emergency siren system in Maui, Hawaii failed to go off as the devastating fire approached, leaving residents with “no warning” about the wildfire, according to reports.
The Hawaii Emergency Services Administration (HI-EMA) revealed that the sirens failed to alert residents about the approaching fire.
HI-EMA said that it tests the emergency sirens once a month.
However, when a wildfire reached residential areas such as Lahaina earlier this week, the sirens did not alert Hawaiians to the danger heading their way.
Flames reached the city on Tuesday, The New York Post reported.
Authorities have confirmed the fire killed 80 people.
But officials warn the death toll could rise even higher.
“Neither Maui nor HI-EMA activated warning sirens on Maui during the wildfire incident,” HI-EMA said in a statement.
“The sirens are used to alert the public to seek additional information; they do not necessarily indicate an evacuation.”
“There was no warning,” said resident Lynn Robinson, who lost her home in the blaze.
“There was absolutely none.
“Nobody came around. We didn’t see a fire truck or anybody.”
HI-EMA also sent out alerts via text, radio, and TV.
But many residents didn’t receive or notice alerts and were only made aware of the fire when they saw it or heard explosions.
It remained unclear why the emergency sirens didn’t initially go off, according to Gov. Josh Green (D-HI).
Green told CNN that much of the equipment was “destroyed very rapidly” by the fire.
Half a dozen fires continued to burn on Maui throughout Saturday.
But officials said on Saturday night that the Lahaina fire, by far the most deadly and destructive, is now 85% contained, NBC News reported.
As the fire spread through the city, residents were forced to jump into the Pacific to save themselves, and the U.S. Coast Guard used a 45-foot boat to rescue at least 14 people.
Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged in the inferno, and Maui County could face rebuilding costs of up to $5.52 billion.
Video shows the fires tearing through residential areas as vehicles can be heard exploding in the background.
WATCH:
#WATCH: New video shows the moment a wildfire tore though homes in Lahaina.
READ MORE: https://t.co/hGkr7eRdpv #HINews #HNN pic.twitter.com/U7ZdftV7S3
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) August 10, 2023
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said her office will conduct a “comprehensive review” of the decisions made by officials before, during, and after the wildfires.
“The Department of the Attorney General shares the grief felt by all in Hawaii, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” Lopez said Friday.
“My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to share with the public the results of this review.
“As we continue to support all aspects of the ongoing relief effort, now is the time to begin this process of understanding.”
