Woman who escaped Lahaina wildfire by running through burning field dies

A woman who escaped a wildfire that destroyed Hawaii community by running through a burning field has died after spending more than seven weeks in a hospital burn unit. Laurie Allen died Friday at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu, according to a GoFundMe page set up for her and her husband, Perry Allen. What caused the Lahaina inferno? An overgrown gully could hold the answers Read more “Laurie slipped away peacefully.

Her heart was tired, and she was ready,” her sister-in-law, Penny Allen Hood, wrote on the website. Allen’s husband, two brothers, a sister and other relatives were at her side. Allen is among at least 98 people killed by the fire 8 August that devastated historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui.

The fire was the deadliest in the US in more than a century and destroyed 2,200 buildings, most of them homes. 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.

Allen was a physical therapist’s administrative assistant who worked from home. Perry Allen, an artist, lost a lifetime of work when their home burned, according to Hood. Perry Allen was working 15 miles (24km) away when the fire hit.

Laurie Allen fled with others, but a fallen, flaming tree blocked their way. Allen got out of the car and fled 100 yards (91 meters) across a field of burning grass. A policeman and fireman met her, and she was taken to an emergency shelter.

At the hospital, Allen endured infections and a series of operations, including skin grafts, and was brought into and out of consciousness. She had difficulty communicating, but at one point raised hopes by being able to wiggle her toes when asked. Her prognosis worsened in recent days, however, and Hood posted Thursday that “the battle to repair and rebuild Laurie’s earthly body” would soon be over.

Allen was taken off life support Friday. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to First Thing Free daily newsletter Our US morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy .

We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion “This ordeal touched numerous lives. For me, it was realizing how many shared concerns for Laurie – people from her childhood, her family, work colleagues, church friends, and clients at the PT Clinic she worked at,” Hood wrote Friday.

“This is a reminder that we never know how much our smile or even a simple greeting can leave an impression on others. ” Some Lahaina residents whose homes burned began returning to the devastated town last week. Authorities urged them not to sift through the ashes for belongings out of concern they could stir up dust containing asbestos, lead, arsenic or other toxins.

Returnees were given water, shade, washing stations, portable toilets, medical and mental health care, and transportation help. Non-profit groups also were offering personal protective equipment, including masks and coveralls. Nearly 8,000 displaced residents are living in hotels and other accommodations around Maui.

Economists have warned that, without zoning and other changes, housing costs in already expensive Lahaina could be prohibitively costly for many after rebuilding. .