A nearly 100-year-old “miracle house” survived the devastating Hawaii wildfires
Aug 22, 2023
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One house in Lahaina, Hawaii, managed to survive the wildfires, earning it the nickname “miracle house.” “We started crying,” Trip Millikin told Civil Beat. “I felt guilty. We still feel guilty.” Several factors likely contributed to the house's survival. The Millikins said their house was constructed with California redwood, a wood known for being fire resistant. They had also replaced the roof with a commercial-grade steel one. According to Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, replacing the existing landscaping around their house with river stones likely helped the most. By doing that, the Millikins ensured there was nothing combustible directly around their house. |
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The Millikins have been in Massachusetts since before the wildfires began and haven't been able to return, but they said that they intend to establish their home as a community support center of sorts. “Let's rebuild this together,” Trip Millikin said. “This house will become a base for all of us. Let's use it.” |