Over 30 structures at last count had burned in Gatlinburg over night as thousands evacuated the city.  But it wasn’t just Gatlinburg.  Fires raged and threatened homes and businesses in Pigeon Forge along with many other counties in East Tennessee.  People were trapped in Park Vista Hotel for hours while flames reached to the perimeter of the hotel. Thousands of acres, dozens of homes and businesses destroyed, families displaced – all caused by an arsonist according to authorities.

TEMA STATUS AND UPDATES ON EVACUATIONS HERE.

We found one video posted on Facebook of a resident who, like many, literally drove through fire trying to escape the hellish conditions on all sides.  Below is the video showing the extremely dangerous escape with homes and woods burning right up to the pavement.  The driver and passenger made it out eventually – but it was horrifying making the journey.

Driving Through Hell from Crossville News First on Vimeo.