Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood has described his heartbreak at losing his restaurant Fleetwood’s On Front Street to the wildfires that have ravaged the island of Maui, Hawaii.
Fuelled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, the fire started on Tuesday and raced through Maui, feasting on any structures that lay in its path.
Drummer Fleetwood, 76, took to social media to release a statement about the fires and said: “Maui and the Lahaina community have been my home for several decades.
— Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) August 10, 2023
“This is a devastating moment for Maui, and many are suffering unimaginable loss.
“Fleetwood’s On Front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken, our main priority is the safety of our dear staff and team members.”
He added: “On behalf of myself and my family, I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of Maui.
“We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days and months and years to come.”
Fleetwood’s rooftop bar had offered customers ocean views and American cuisine.
A banner on the restaurant’s website currently says that “Fleetwood’s On Front St will be closed until further notice”.
The wildfire is the deadliest the US has seen since the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed at least 85 people and laid waste to the town of Paradise.
To help tourists and locals, officials have turned the Hawaii Convention Centre in Honolulu into an assistance centre.
Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui. Our prayers are with those whose homes, businesses, and communities are destroyed.
We are grateful to the first responders putting themselves in harm’s way to save lives.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 9, 2023
On Thursday, US President Joe Biden declared a major disaster on Maui and offered his condolences to those affected.
In a social media post, he said: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui.
“Our prayers are with those whose homes, businesses, and communities are destroyed.
“We are grateful to the first responders putting themselves in harm’s way to save lives.”
Fleetwood’s band, Fleetwood Mac, formed in the 1960s and are known for songs that include Everywhere, Gypsy and Dreams.