At least 36 people have died in wildfires sweeping through the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The wildfires began on Tuesday and spread quickly, fuelled by strong winds generated by Hurricane Dora.

According to BBC News, at least 270 buildings are said to have been destroyed, with residents and tourists being evacuated to makeshift shelters.

The historic town of Lahaina on Maui suffered major damage, with drone and helicopter footage showing neighbourhoods burnt to the ground.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen says authorities hadn’t “anticipated having this many fires simultaneously” and were forced to draw resources from a number of places as a result.

A state of emergency has since been declared.

(Featured Photo via BBC News)