Hawaii Governor says state is NOT pursuing criminal probe into Maui wildfires ... trends now
Managers of a senior living complex in Maui where at least three elderly people died in the wildfires say some residents who perished may have chosen not to evacuate after authorities said the fires were '100% contained'.
Four residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono, a retirement complex that was destroyed in the disaster, stayed behind while their neighbors fled as fires swept across Lahaina last Tuesday, killing at least 111 people.
Officials have so far only identified five of the 111 people who perished in the disaster. Two of those - Buddy Jantoc, 79, and Virginia Dofa, 90 - lived in Hale Mahaolu Eono.
A third victim, Joseph Schilling, 67, was also a resident. Schilling, who has not been named by authorities but was confirmed as a victim by his family, died while helping others evacuate the housing complex.
The claim some may have stayed behind due to confusing messaging will increase scrutiny on authorities who are accused of failing to give proper warnings about the incoming danger. An investigation is underway into the cause of the fires, and the response, but the state's governor has said it is not criminal.
Joseph Schilling, 67, died while helping others evacuate the Hale Mahaolu Eono housing complex, his family said
Virginia Dofa, 90 pictured left in a missing persons poster after the fires, lived in Hale Mahaolu Eono. Officials have since said she died in the fires
Buddy Jantoc, 79, another resident of the complex, also passed away. Managers at Hale Mahaolu Eono say some residents who perished may have chosen not to evacuate after authorities said the fires were '100% contained'
Four residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono, a retirement complex that was destroyed in the disaster, stayed behind while their neighbors fled as fires swept across Lahaina last Tuesday, killing at least 111 people
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has ordered the state's
