This was the hellish scene as motorists drove by raging wild fires in Hawaii yesterday afternoon (August 17).

Flames were spreading through bushes alongside the Kaukonahua Road in Kunia as high temperatures, dry conditions and whipped up the inferno.

The brush fire originally started on Sunday (August 16) and police closed roads amid fears the blaze could reach surrounding buildings.

Firefighters battled the flames which began to blow away towards mountains. Police are investigating the cause of the brush fire but they believe it started naturally.

Resident Charlie Drake told local media that the was close to a golf course at the Hawaii Country Club.

He said: ''Thank goodness the wind was blowing towards the mountain, so it was blowing away from us. But it was literally five feet from us.''