Historic banyan tree stands as survivors share Maui fire stories | USA TODAY

Dozens of people are dead after wildfires burned on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Survivors share their heartbreaking stories of property destroyed.

RELATED: Officials provide update on Maui fires as they continue to rage
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The number of fatalities from the catastrophic fires in Maui reached 55, officials confirmed Thursday. The toll will probably surpass 60 and make the disaster the deadliest since Hawaii became a state in 1959, Gov. Josh Green said.

The death count continues to climb and parts of coastal communities have been largely destroyed, including the historic town of Lahaina. He referenced the 1960 tsunami that hit the Big Island, killing 61 people, and said: "This time it's very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that, I'm afraid.''

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