‘Maui Resident Calls Police Chief’s Claim of Door Knocking a ‘Total Lie”
A Local Leader of Relief Efforts Rejects Police Chief’s Claim of Evacuation Efforts During Maui Fires
The devastating fires that swept through Maui, particularly Lahaina, have left a trail of destruction in their wake. With 115 people officially listed as fire victims and hundreds more missing, the aftermath of this disaster has sparked outrage among residents who claim they received little to no warning.
Despite the presence of a warning siren system in Maui, which was not activated during the fires, Police Chief John Pelletier stated that officers had made efforts to evacuate residents. However, this claim has been vehemently denied by Dale Hermo-Fernandez, a leader of the relief efforts, who called it a “total lie” and stated that there were no loudspeakers or warnings given.
The lack of warning became apparent when the first fires broke out on the morning of August 8. Although firefighters ordered an evacuation along one road, no other areas were alerted. Residents were even told to shelter in place as the wind-stoked flames approached Lahaina.
Accounts from residents further support the claim that there were no evacuation efforts. Lisa Vorpahl recalled that police were present in her neighborhood for an early fire caused by high winds, but by mid-morning, everything seemed fine with no signs of urgency. Ingrid Lynch also stated that officers visited her house in the morning but never mentioned the fires as a threat.
Hermo-Fernandez criticized the police for causing a bottleneck by directing people down Front Street, which created gridlock and prevented anyone from moving. Pelletier defended the police actions, stating that residents were trapped between downed power lines and the engulfed area.
Amidst the blame game, the Hawaiian Electric Company denied responsibility for the fires, pushing back against a lawsuit filed by Maui County. The utility admitted that the morning fire appeared to be caused by fallen power lines, but they placed the blame on firefighters for the fire re-igniting and becoming a deadly blaze.
As the investigation continues, the lack of warning and conflicting accounts raise serious questions about the emergency management system in Maui and the actions taken by authorities during this devastating event.
Source: The Western Journal
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