International Desk : At least 36 people were killed after wildfires rampaged through parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui.

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The Maui county government said "As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire."

The fires started burning early Tuesday, putting homes, businesses and utilities at risk, as well as more than 35,000 people on the island of Maui, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.

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The state agency said the fires have burned more than 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of land.

"High, gusty winds and dry conditions put much of Hawai'i under a Red Flag Warning that ended late Wednesday, and more fires were burning on the Big Island and Maui."

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The fires had sent desperate residents jumping into the ocean in a bid to escape the fast-moving flames.

More than 270 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the seriously affected town of Lahaina.

"Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced," said Governor Josh Green of the 12,000-resident historic town, which is popular with tourists.

Sun News/MR

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