Inspiring america. Nightly news begins right now. Good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90mileanhour wind gusts and plunging humidity set a wildfire exploding overnight into a deadly and destructive rampage outside gatlingburg, tennessee. Thousands fleeing their home, with little more than the clothes on their back. Homes and businesses left in smouldering ruins. We learned today, at least three people have been killed. Its happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessees great smokey mountains. Thats where Kerry Sanders has the latest. Wow. Reporter the fire storm exploded in seconds. Hit the gas, hit the gas reporter residents safe, until they looked out their windows. Panic. Thats all we had was panic. We could feel the heat coming off it was nothing but red. Oh, my god, its so hot. Reporter the escape was complicated by narrow mountain roads, flames everywhere. Michael reed separated from his wife and two children in the chaos. Tonight unsure if constance, 12yearold chloe and 9yearold lily are alive. House phone and said there were flames across the street from our house and she didnt know what to do. I told her to call 911 and get out. That was the last time i heard from her. Reporter tonight with the fire still burning, authorities are beginning to assess the damage. Entire neighborhoods destroyed. 14,000 ordered to evacuate. 2,000 fled to shelters. At least 150 structures damaged or town about an hour from knoxville. The flames threatened several popular tourist destinations. The greatest smokey mountains, the most visited park in the country, an aquarium with 10,000 animals, and Dolly Partons dollywood theme park. Dollywood was spared, but this week, they released a Public Service announcement about wildfires, said shes heart broken and praying for all the families. At the park vista hotel, the fire trapped dozens of guests. Mike and juliede here at westgate. A few hours later, the unimaginable. This whole place is on fire. How would you describe this . The gates of hell. The gates of hell . Reporter driving the fire, a record drought and wind gusts nearly 90 miles an hour. Tonight, officials are investigating the cause of the fire and have not ruled out arson. There are hot embers in the devastation here and that is a concern tonight. Because while the air is calm right now, its predicted that hour, can carry a hot ember miles from here, igniting another part of the smokey mountains. Lester . All right, Kerry Sanders tonight, thank you. Tonight, crash investigators in colombia have released a photograph of the black boxes from the plane that was carrying a Brazilian Soccer Team to a south American Championship playoff in medellin. Of the 77 people on board, six survived the crash, including just three team members. Nbcs comcastelo reports on the tragedy and what m caused the crash. Reporter the video and photos from the airport and then the plane are haunting. The young faces of Brazils Chapecoense soccer club, an underdog dream team, headed to the championship matches. But only hours later, tragedy. Daylight revealed the broken remains of the chartered plane, scattered across the hillside outside medellin. Remove the dead. Of the 77 people on board, only 7 were found alive. One of them, 31yearold goalie, Marcos Danilo died at the hospital but called his wife before passing away. Another player had just learned he was going to be a father. In the teams locker room today, three teammates who didnt make the trip were in disbelief. Amid vigils and moments of silence worldwide, soccer great pele said simply, brazilian football is in mourning. Translator their confidence in god that things will go well for us. Our chapecoense team will have to go on. It is difficult, it is so difficult to speak. Reporter the plane was a British Aerospace 146, a regional jet with four engines used mostly for short distance flights. But flying from bolivia to medellin, the pilot reported an electrical problem and circled before crashing miles from the airport. One of the considerations investigators will look at is if the airplane was too low maximum range. Reporter a surviving Flight Attendant told rescuers, the plane had run out of fuel. Accompanying the team on the plane, 21 journalists, hoping to cover a fairy tale ending for a team that had surpassed all expectations, only to end in tragedy. Late word that surgeons had to amputate the right leg of surviving goalkeeper jackson follmann. Meanwhile, the Colombian Team that was scheduled to play against the brazilians today as the south American Soccer Confederation to the championship title to their brazilian competitors. Lester . Tom costello, thank you. Now to the investigation at ohio state where the fbi is trying to determine what set off a student to plow his car into a crowd, then go on a horrific stabbing spree yesterday. Was there a connection to isis, or any other terror group . Nbcs Stephanie Gosk has more. Reporter tonight the fbi is poring over abdul artans laptop and other digital nbc news, theres no established contact with isis or other terror groups, disputing a claim from the Islamic State media arm that he was working with them. Authorities say they also have no reason to think his family knew what he was planning. Artan smashed his car into an osu sidewalk and stabbed people with a butcher knife that Authorities Say he bought that morning at a local walmart. Law enforcement officials also say a post was left on his facebook page, expressing anger over attacks on muslims worldwide. It scares me. It scares me that i live right next door to that. And didnt even know. Reporter neighbor lou ann karna han was in shock. Very nice people. The boy was very pleasant. Reporter artans family fled somalia in 2007, lived in pakistan until 2014, when they moved to the United States. This is artan celebrating his graduation from Community College just last spring. Neighbors and friends say he was a devout with artan and saw him just two weeks ago. Did he sound frustrated with the country . No. At all. He actually loved america. He loved the fact of the opportunity he had here to go to school. Reporter bhu police say artan attacked that school. Flipped me up in the air. Reporter Professor William clark said he thought it was a Traffic Accident at first. But then several people started shouting immediately. Reporter tonight, only three of the 11 injured are still in the hospital. Ep news, colombus, ohio. A late flurry this evening of cabinet picks from president elect donald trump. Nbc news has learned steven man uchin is expected to be named trumps pick for treasury secretary tomorrow. And investor william ross is expected to be his pick to lead the commerce department. Elaine chao, wife of Mitch Mcconnell is his transportation secretary. We have a lot more on that in just a moment. But first, the president elect is overshadowing his own cabinet picks with his threat today about jailing or perhaps revoking citizenship for people who burn American Flags in protest. That, experts say, would be unconstitutional. We get details on this new fire storm from nbcs hallie jackson. Reporter the president elect, today proposing punhm thats protected, though not popular. One flag was set on fire. One was reporter n long after this segment about a College Protest in which an American Flag was burned, a trump tweet. Quote, nobody should be allowed to burn the American Flag. If they do, there must be consequences, perhaps loss of citizenship, or year in jail. But burning the flag is a form of free speech under the first amendment, upheld twice by the supreme court. Of respecting unpleasant speech. I happen to support the supreme courts decision on that matter. Reporter its not that americans like flagburning. In fact, before those court rulings, 48 of 50 states had laws banning it. In 2005, Hillary Clinton backed a bill that would jail flagburners. Still to some, more troubling than trumps threat to imprison protesters who burn the flag, is his suggestion of stripping citizenship. That would also be unconstitutional. T someones citizenship away cant be used as a punishment. That citizenship isnt a license that expires when someone commits a crime. Reporter now even newt gingrich, a high professional trump ally says he has his own concerns about certain trump tweets, like a recent one on voter fraud, pointing to the different weight of a president s words, versus a candidates. President s of the United States cant randomly tweet without having somebody check it out. Promote what hes calling his thank you tour, kicking off thursday in cincinnati. He seemed to enjoy the energy of those Campaign Rallies as candidate. Now as president elect, lester, packing his bags to get back on the road. All right, hallie jackson, thank you. Lets turn back to the president elects pick for health and human services. Its shining a spotlight on the effort to repeal and replace obamacare. What next . Nbcs Kristen Welker has that reporter since obamacares implementation six years ago, georgia congressman tom price has been proposing ways to dismantle it. A mandate that the government tells you what kind of health care youve got to have . Is that what you want . No reporter now as trumps pick for secretary of health and human services, he has his chance. Mr. Trumps promise to eliminate obamacare could leave the 28 Million People currently enrolled, in like adam kuns. And while their trump has said hes open to protecting those with preexisting conditions, kuns isnt convinced. Its about trying to stay alive. I cant live without insulin. Its not a choice that i have insulin. I either get it or i die. Reporter kate gon zeedo is worrying too, wondering if her Birth Control plan will be scrapped. So she opted for a longer lasting iud. I appointment right after the election, because of uncertainties about what sorts of resources would be provided to me in the next four years. Reporter jim herrel says his community has been hit hard by the rising cost of premiums under obamacare. Anything would be better than obamacare. Anything . Anything. Reporter but will mr. Trump and congressman tom price be able to turn their promises for better, more Affordable Health care into reality . Repealing the cack Affordable Care act is the easy part. Figuring out how to replace is is going to be really tough. Reporter adam countries just hopes they keep people like him in mind, while crafting an alternative. There was emotional testimony today in the trial over a Deadly Police shooting caught on camera. A former South CarolinaPolice Officer taking the stand in his own defense, accused of gunning down an unarmed African American man last year has more on the drama in the courtroom and the video that stunned the nation. Reporter this bystanders dramatic video appeared to show a man shot in the back multiple times. Today in a South Carolina courtroom, the man accused of the murder, gave his first detailed account of what happened. I fired until the threat was stopped, reporter Michael Slager said he pulled scott over for a broken tail light of 2015 and was preparing to write him a warning, but scott bolted from his car. In my mind, at that time, people dont run from a broken tail light. Reporter prosecutors say he fled because he was behind on Child Support payments and was in fear of being arrested. I was in total fear that mr. Stop. Reporter the cell phone video, he says, picks up the encounter seconds later as scott breaks away from the struggle. The prosecutor pressed slager on why he moved the taser closer to scotts body. You dont leave a weapon in the middle of a field like that. Reporter slager said in hindsight he would not have chased him on foot and instead called for backup. His entire testimony was what he would have done different and things hes remembering now reporter the jury, made up of 11 white people and one black man, is expected to begin deliberations later this week. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news. Still ahead here tonight, detecting Breast Cancer, the Alarming Number of women being diagnosed without the most common symptom. And one survivor who [ cough ] shh. I have a cold with this annoying runny nose. Better take something. Dayquil liquid gels doesnt treat a runny nose. It doesnt . Alkaseltzer plus cold and cough liquid gels before i had the shooting, burning, pinsandneedles of diabetic nerve pain, these feet. Kicked off a lot of high school games. Built a life for my family. And liked to help others in need. But i couldnt bear my doctor and he prescribed lyrica. Nerve damage from diabetes causes diabetic nerve pain. Lyrica is fdaapproved to treat this pain, from moderate to even severe diabetic nerve pain. Lyrica may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Or swelling, trouble breathing, rash, hives, blisters, muscle pain with fever, tired feeling or legs, and feet. Dont drink alcohol while taking lyrica. Dont drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. Those who have had a drug or alcohol problem may be more likely to misuse lyrica. Now i have less diabetic nerve pain. And its great to help others get back on their feet. Ask your doctor about lyrica. Back now with a warning about detecting Breast Cancer. The most common breast. But a recent study found that 1 in 6 patients have symptoms other than lumps which can be more difficult to identify. Nbcs Kristen Dahlgren with more on the subtle signs you should be watching out for. Reporter in 2014, beth la flor did something that may have saved her life. Is it a miracle that youre here . Perhaps. Pretty close. Reporter she noticed a change in her breasts. Not a lump. I would describe it as a thickening. And thats what my attention initially. Reporter so she had a routine screening mammogram. It was negative. Reporter nothing . Nothing. Reporter but the nurse who works as a lackitation consultant couldnt ignore the changes to the shape of her breast, so she got another opinion from dr. Deborah rhodes at the mayo clinic. Theres a right area in the center of her left breast, and reporter stage three Breast Cancer against dense breast tissue. A new study in england showed 1 in 6 patients have symptoms other than a lump. What this new study tells us, is, its profoundly important to be aware of your breasts, to be familiar with your breasts, even outside of a ritual monthly selfbreast exam. Reporter in other words, know your own body. Dr. Rhodes said remember the word n. A. P. S. , which stands for changes to the nipple, arit pain, and changes to the skin or shape. If theres subtlety, there will be more subtle to someone who doesnt know you as well as you know yourself. Reporter beth is now two years cancerfree, loving every second with her granddaughter. And all the milestones she might have missed if she had missed the subtle signs of her cancer. Kristen dahlgren, nbc you cant predict the market. Weve helped our investors stay confident for over 75 years. Call us or your advisor. T. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. When a moment spontaneously turns romantic, why pause to take a pill . Or stop to find a bathroom . Cialis for daily use is approved to treat both erectile dysfunction and the urinary symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently, day or night. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. Do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, or adempas for pulmonary hypertension, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Do not drink alcohol in excess. Side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. To avoid longterm injury, get medical help right away for an erection lasting more than four hours. If you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or any symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop taking cialis and get medical help right away. Ask your doctor about cialis and a 200 savings card. Like a human fingerprint, no two whale flukes are the same. Because your needs are unique, pacific life has been delivering flexible retirement and Life Insurance solutions for more than 145 years. Ask a Financial Advisor how you can Tailor Solutions from pacific life to help theres Alarming Health news tonight if you or someone you love is a smoker. A new study shows that smokers under the age of 50 are over eight times more likely to have a major heart attack than nonsmokers. Researchers found this age group of smokers is the most vulnerable of any group. Its beginning to look a lot like christmas at the white house. Today First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled this years decorations. Families of u. S. Service members invited a part of the view is legos. 200,000 legos in all. Theres a whole lot to celebrate this Holiday Season for 20 coworkers from tennessee who just hit a massive jackpot. Today the group claimed a 420 million prize. The cash value is worth 254 million, meaning about 12. 7 million apiece before his dogs, with tens of thousands of fans inspiring something amazing. Nbc nightly news is brought t [burke] at farmers, weve seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. Even a rodent ridealong. [kid] i wont, dad. [captain rod] happy Tuesday Morning captain rod here. Its pretty hairy out on the interstate. Traffic is literally crawling, but there is some movement on the eastside overpass. Getting word of another collision. [burke] it happened. December 14th, 2015. And we covered it. Talk to farmers. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. . We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum . Um. Something wrong . So when it comes to pain relievers, why put up with just part of a day . You want the whole thing . Yes, yes live whole. Not part. Aleve. Hi hey you look good. Thank you, i feel good. It all starts with eating right. Thats why i eat amaz n prunes now. Theyre delicious and help keep my body in balance. I love these. Sunsweet amaz n prunes, the feel good fruit. My heart beats one hundred thousand times a day, sending oxygen to my muscles. So i can lift even the most demanding weight. Take care of all your most important parts with centrum. Now verified non gmo and gluten free. I have asthma. One of many pieces in my life. So when my asthma symptoms kept coming back on my longterm control medicine. I talked to my doctor and found a missing piece in my asthma treatment with breo. Oncedaily breo prevents asthma symptoms. Breo is for adults with asthma not well controlled on a longterm asthma control medicine, en breathing problems. Breo opens up airways to help improve breathing for a full 24 hours. Breo contains a type of medicine that increases the risk of death from asthma problems and may increase the risk of hospitalization in children and adolescents. Breo is not for people whose asthma is well controlled on a longterm asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. Once your asthma is well controlled, your doctor will decide if you can stop breo and prescribe a different asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. Do not take breo more than prescribed. Es not improve or gets worse. Ask your doctor if 24hour breo could be a missing piece for you. See if youre eligible for finally tonight, two best friends taking social media by storm. A boy and his dog, bringing smiles to tens of thousands with their adorable pictures. Now theyre part of a mission to help other kids that need a place to call home. Harry smith has more in our latest installment of inspiring america. Reagan, come here. Reporter as dogs go, reagan is a true ham. Hey, reagan, what a good boy. Reporter cameraready. But he really shines when hes with his besty, 3yearold buddy. Here you go. Reporter buddy. Not his real name. Is a foster child living in oregon. I started calling him reagans little buddy, because thats who he was. Reporter the dog belongs to buddys foster grandparents. Together the boy and the dog are nothing short of adorable. There was an instant bond. They loved each other from day one. Reporter the photos never show a face for his protection. Yet the two have more than 100,000 instagram followers. Because of that, foster grandma sandy had an idea, a book. I felt like, its a story that needs to be told. In addition to cute pictures. The good that theyve been able to do for each other. And for foster kids everywhere. Reporter the proceeds will go to a nonprofit that supports foster caregivers, like buddys foster mom, foster care has been one of the hardest but absolute best things that weve ever done. Reporter there are more than 400,000 foster children in the United States. With more than 100,000 awaiting placement. The pictures tell you a lot about love, and joy, and sharing. Its such a powerful connection. Reporter who knows . Maybe you know a dog who needs a new cant get enough of those pictures. What a pair. Thats going to do it for us on a tuesday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and goodnight. Wildfires force thousands to flee their homes in gaslinberg, tennessee. Why these fires are so hard to control. Plus wearable technology. Learn about small, practice crete devices designed to keep you and your children safe. We hit the 60s today. With eel do it again tomorrow. The rain showers are coming too. Imagine that. Thanks, betsy. And hes a professional dancer, even though an injury took away his ability to walk. How his attitude to succeed is a lesson for all of us. From the station that sees it possible, this is channel 3 news, brought to you by the calvetta brothers floor show. Its too many to fall in love again with your home. Now, channel 3 newst and good evening. Im russ mitchell. Jimmy is off tonight. And im sarah shookman. Thousands of people have been forced out of east tennessee from the vacation town of pigeon forge and gaslinburg. Wildfires are burning through parts of the great smoky mountains, taking everything in their path. Three people have died, a dozen injured. This is an area many of us in nearby ohio have visited, a place i lived and work. Hard to believe what it likes like now. These are some of the first pictures of the damage