Maui fire deaths surge to 53 and likely to go higher, governor says

Wildfire wreckage is seen in Lahaina, Hawaii (Tiffany Kidder Winn via AP)

Hawaii Governor Josh Green says 53 people were killed in the devastating Maui wildfires, and the death toll will likely continue to rise.

A search of the wildfire devastation on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of obliterated neighbourhoods and landmarks charred beyond recognition.