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Death toll in Gatlinburg fire grows to 14

By Allen Cone
The Gatlinburg, Tenn., wildfire has destroyed 1,684 structures, killed 14 people and injured 134. Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Transportation/Facebook
The Gatlinburg, Tenn., wildfire has destroyed 1,684 structures, killed 14 people and injured 134. Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Transportation/Facebook

GATLINBURG, Tenn., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The death toll from the historic fire in Tennessee climbed to 14, according to authorities.

Officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said Sunday an 81-year-old woman, Elaine Brown, of Sevierville, died in a car accident while fleeing the fire. They said she had an unspecified medical event just before the crash.

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The fire, which began Monday, has also injured 134 people and damaged 1,684 structures.

More than 600 firefighters and Tennessee National Guard members are assisting in recovery efforts.

High winds spread the fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevier County. More than 17,000 acres burned.

On Sunday, winds reached 50 miles an hour, prompting concerns that remaining fires could spread, but rains have prevented the wildfires from reigniting and cleared the smoky air, fire officials said.

Around 150 people remain in shelters throughout Sevier County.

Gatlinburg's attractions, including Ripley's Aquarium, are closed. Dollywood Amusement Park, which lost some cabins to the fire, reopened Friday.

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