3 dead as wildfires scorch 250 buildings in Tennessee

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Wildfires force thousands to evacuate Tennessee resort towns

Hundreds of buildings near Great Smoky Mountains National Park have burned to the ground

Authorities in Tennesssee announced Tuesday that three people died in the massive fire that continues to bear down on the Great Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee.

Emergency officials said that 14,000 people were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone and at least 250 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. There were no details on the fatalities.

About 12 people were taken to hospitals, mostly with non-life-threatening injuries, said Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a news release that at least 10 of the homes that were impacted were in Gatlinburg, including a 16-story hotel and an apartment complex. According to Fox 17 Nashville, 30 structures have been burned in Gatlinburg.

Linda Monholland, who was working at Park View Inn in Gatlinburg, said it was about 9 p.m. Monday when she left her workplace with about five other people. Surrounded by flames the whole way, they walked for about 20 minutes to a trolley to evacuate.

"There was fire everywhere. It was like we were in hell. Hell opened up," said Monholland, who was staying Tuesday at Rocky Top Sports World, an 80-acre sports facility that has been turned into a shelter. "Walking through hell, that's what it was. I can't believe it. I never want to see something like that again in my life, ever."

Although some relief arrived in the form of calming winds and rain, forecasters warned that the drought which has plagued several Southern states was likely to continue. Rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South.

Authorities issued a Level 3 state of emergency and ordered the evacuations of Gatlinburg, Mynatt Park, Park Vista, Ski Mounty and Pigeon Forge on Monday. The National Guard was being deployed to help with evacuations.

"We urge the public to pray. We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet," Miller said at a press conference.

Officials with Dollywood, the amusement park named after country music icon Dolly Parton, said the theme park wasn't damaged, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park had been.

Dollywood suspended park operations at least through Wednesday. Its DreamMore resort will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash said authorities had rescued 29 hikers in Sevier County from the raging fire. Cash added that there weren’t any major injuries or deaths as of early Tuesday. One person was reported suffering from a burn injury.

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have closed all facilities in the park due to extensive fire activities and downed trees.

"I've been in federal service for 25 years, and I've fought fires on the West Coast and the East Coast and been with the Forest Service as well," Cash said. "Nothing that we've experienced in the 24 hours has prepared for what we've experienced here in the last 24 hours. [It's] been just unbelievable what we've experienced here."

Cash added that the wildfires were “unprecedented.”

The Red Cross is accepting donations for those impacted by the fire. You can donate by clicking here or by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from Fox 17 Nashville.