inspiring america. nightly news begins right now. good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90-mile-an-hour 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. it s happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessee s great smokey mountains. that s where kerry sanders has the latest. wow. reporter: the fire storm exploded in seconds. hit the gas, hit the gas! reporter: residents and vacationers thought they were safe, until they looked out their windows. panic. that s all we had was panic. we could feel the heat coming off it was nothing but red. oh, my god, it s so hot. reporter: the escape was complicated by narrow mountain roads, flames everywhere
your life. and best friends. a boy and his dog and an unbreakable bond inspiring america. nightly news begins right now. good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90-mile-an-hour wind gusts and plunging humidity set 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. it s happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessee s great smokey mountains. that s where kerry sanders has the latest. hit the gas, hit the gas! reporter: residents and vacationers thought they were safe, until they looked out their windows. panic. that s all we had was panic. we could feel the heat coming off it was nothing but red. oh, my god, it s so hot. reporter: the escape was complicated by narrow mountain roads, flames everywhere. michael reed separ
an unbreakable bond inspiring america. nightly news begins right now. good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90-mile-an-hour 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. it s happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessee s great smokey mountains. that s where kerry sanders has the latest. wow. reporter: the fire storm exploded in seconds. hit the gas, hit the gas! thought they were safe, until they looked out their windows. panic. that s all we had was panic. we could feel the heat coming off it was nothing but red. oh, my god, it s so hot. reporter: the escape was complicated by narrow mountain roads, flames everywhere. michael reed sep
a boy and his dog and an unbreakable bond inspiring america. nightly news begins right now. good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90-mile-an-hour wind gusts and plunging humidity set a wildfire exploding overnight into a 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. it s happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessee s great smokey mountains. that s where kerry sanders has the latest. wow. reporter: the fire storm exploded in seconds. reporter: residents and vacationers thought they were safe, until they looked out their windows. panic. that s all we had was panic. we could feel the heat coming off it was nothing but red. oh, my god, it s so hot. reporter: the escape was complicated by narrow mountain roads, flames everywhere. michael
an unbreakable bond, inspiring america. nightly news begins right now. from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. good evening, there was so little time to flee as near 90-mile-an-hour wind gusts and plunging humidity set a wildfire exploding overnight into a deadly and destructive rampage outside gatlinburg, tennessee. thousands were driven from their homes, some fleeing with little more than the clothes on their back. this evening, scores of homes and businesses are left in smouldering ruins. we learned today, at least three people have been killed. it s happening southeast of knoxville, around the popular resort areas of tennessee s great smokey mountains. that s where kerry sanders has the latest. wow. reporter: the fire storm exploded in seconds. hit the gas, hit the gas! reporter: residents and vacationers thought they were safe, until they that s all we had was panic. we could feel the heat coming off it w