The destructive wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, claimed another life as Laurie Allen, who bravely escaped the fire by running through a burning field, tragically lost her life after spending more than seven weeks in a hospital burns unit.
Mrs. Allen was among at least 98 people killed by the Aug. 8 fire that devastated historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui. This deadly fire, the deadliest in the United States in over a century, left a trail of destruction, destroying 2,200 buildings, most of which were homes.
The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 8, 2023. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
Mrs. Allen passed away at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu on Sept. 29, according to a GoFundMe page created for her and her husband, Perry Allen.
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“53 Days in Hell” was the first sentence of the announcement post made by her sister-in-law, Penny Allen Hood. The post read that Mrs. Allen had passed away at 3:20 p.m. Oahu Time, almost mirroring the time the fire struck on Aug. 8.
She was surrounded by her husband Perry, brother Kelly, sister-in-law Loretta, brother Dave, and sister Janel. “Laurie slipped away peacefully. Her heart was tired, and she was ready,” read the announcement.
The fire began when strong winds appeared to cause a Hawaiian Electric power line to fall and ignite dry brush and grass. After being declared contained, the fire flared up and raced through the town.
Mrs. Allen was a physical therapist’s administrative assistant who worked from home. Husband Perry Allen, an artist, lost a lifetime of work when their home burned, he shared in previous updates.
Mr. Allen was working 15 miles away from home when the fire hit.
Mrs. Allen fled the home in a car with others, but a fallen, flaming tree blocked their way. She eventually decided she had to leave the car and fled by foot 100 yards across a field of burning grass. A policeman and fireman met her on the other side, and she was taken to an emergency shelter.
At the hospital, Mrs. Allen endured infections and a series of operations, including skin grafts, and drifted in and out of consciousness. She had difficulty communicating but at one point, raised everyone’s hopes when she was able to wiggle her toes when asked. She was being brought to consciousness a few times a day to test her responsiveness.
However, her prognosis had worsened in recent days. A previous post by Ms. Hood the day before Mrs. Allen’s death read, “It is with a sad heart that I have to post that the battle to repair and rebuild Laurie’s earthly body will soon be over.” Mrs. Allen was taken off life support on Friday, Sept. 29.
Attendees embrace during a church service at King’s Cathedral in Kahului on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on Aug. 13, 2023. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
The Maui Police Department reported in its latest update on Sept. 15 that the revised number of fatalities from the disaster is 97, a decrease from the previously reported 115, with 99 percent of the Lahaina disaster area having been searched, according to officials. The new number was reached based on factors including obtaining DNA profiles during the examination of remains.
In the immediate aftermath and chaos of the Lahaina wildfire disaster, more than 388 people were feared missing. More than a month later, the Maui Police Department (MPD) in its sixth update on Sept. 29 said its missing persons list now stands at 12 individuals, down from 22 last week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
How did the Ling tree impact the escape route during the Lahaina wildfire?
Ling tree blocked their escape route. They were forced to abandon the vehicle and continue on foot. They managed to make it through the burning field, but the heat and smoke took a toll on Mrs. Allen’s health.
She was immediately rushed to the hospital burns unit, where she fought for her life for over seven weeks. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, her injuries were too severe, and she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
The wildfire in Lahaina was a devastating event that resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of thousands of buildings. It has been deemed the deadliest fire in the United States in over a century. The tight-knit community of Lahaina was left shattered and in mourning.
The fire, which started on August 8, claimed at least 98 lives, including Mrs. Allen’s. It ravaged historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Most of the 2,200 buildings that were destroyed were homes, turning families’ lives upside down.
The images captured during the fire were horrifying. The hall of the historic Waiola Church and the nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission were engulfed in flames along Wainee Street in Lahaina. The fire was relentless and unforgiving, leaving nothing but charred remains in its wake.
Mrs. Allen’s passing is a devastating loss for her family and the community. Her sister-in-law, Penny Allen Hood, described the 53 days she spent in the hospital as “hell.” Her family was by her side until the very end, providing comfort and support during her final moments.
The cause of the fire has been traced back to a fallen Hawaiian Electric power line, ignited by the strong winds and dry conditions. While the fire was initially contained, it unexpectedly flared up and quickly spread through the town, causing widespread devastation.
Mrs. Allen was a hardworking individual who worked as a physical therapist’s administrative assistant from the comfort of her home. Her husband, Perry Allen, was an artist who lost not only their home but also a lifetime of work in the fire. He was away from home when the fire broke out, adding to the tragedy of their story.
As the community mourns the loss of Mrs. Allen and the other victims, questions arise about the unforseen consequences of the fire. Congressional hearings have been held to investigate the role played by the electric provider and the actions that could have been taken to prevent such a devastating event.
The state of Hawaii reflects on the impact of the wildfire and the measures that need to be taken to prevent future tragedies. Governor David Ige has spoken publicly about the importance of fire safety and the need to address the vulnerabilities that led to such a catastrophic event.
The tragic death toll in the Lahaina wildfire serves as a somber reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of preparedness. It is a call to action for communities to come together, support one another, and take measures to prevent and mitigate the devastating effects of wildfires. May the victims rest in peace and their memories be a source of strength for those left behind.
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