Irish family have 'white-knuckle drive' to escape 'red glow in the distance' of Hawaii wildfires

The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission engulfed in flames. Picture: Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP

An Irish family has told of their rush to avoid the catastrophic fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week.

The wildfires in the historic town of Lahaina has killed at least 55 people and Hawaii Governor Josh Green said that number is likely to rise.