'The ocean saved my life': how one Hawaii survivor escaped the flames

Cochran, an experienced swimmer dedicated to ocean conservation, jumped into the sea to save herself from the wildfire. Photos: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Surrounded by flames on Hawaii's scenic Lahaina boardwalk with cars exploding in the heat around her, Annelise Cochran decided jumping into the sea was her only choice.

"It was seconds. And it almost didn't feel like a decision that I was really making. Because there only seemed to be one option," Cochran said six days after surviving a raging wildfire that destroyed the small resort community on Maui's west coast.