Wildfires devastate Lahaina, Hawaii, claiming over 55 lives and reducing historic structures to rubble.
Absence of warning sirens raises questions about the state's emergency system effectiveness.
Hawaii's outdoor all-hazard public safety warning system, including sirens, fails during the disaster.
Communication breakdown due to power and cellular outages hinders alert dissemination.
Survivors realized danger only when flames and explosions engulfed the area.
Maui County Mayor acknowledges potential rise in death toll as search and rescue continues.
Governor likens destruction to aftermath of a bomb blast, highlighting severity.
Efforts by firefighters to contain the blaze remain unsuccessful.
Lahaina wildfire prompts broader concern about emergency readiness in the face of climate-induced disasters.