Deadly Maui Fire Caused by Rekindling of Earlier Extinguished Blaze, Investigation Finds

The deadly disaster occurred because of a single fire that was initially ignited by reenergized, broken power lines, a report has found.

Burned cars and homes in a neighborhood that was destroyed by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 17, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Sparks from broken power lines caused the deadly August 2023 wildfire in Maui, Hawaii, according to a new report published on Oct. 2 by the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The deadly disaster on the island occurred when a fire sparked by reenergized broken power lines off Lahainaluna Road that was believed to have been extinguished in the morning by responding firefighters was rekindled in the afternoon, the Origin and Cause report found.