jc: caught onamera, a frantic this is the terrifying ride to safety. three people have been killed. thousands evacuated. john atwater is here withe. mor they are trying desperately to navigate through the inferno thats osing in. burning embers are slapping their windshield. a roaring fire consuming cabins as thetried make their way off of the burning untain. >> and go, go. we don't need a flat right here. reporter: they run into fallen trees, praying they will find a path to safety. >> please lord let us get off journey one of so many. >> we covered our faces with wet towels got in caran into tree over road had to turn around. in the resort town of gatlinburg, it's estimated more than 14,000 people had to evacuateheir homes, even the mayor's home wasn't spared. >> i think i have lost my house. reporter: hundreds of homes and businesses have been lel by the fierce fires, the effort to halt their assault, made so much more difficult by winds described as hurricane force . 75 miles an hour. right now, firefighters are still working on hotspots. jc: the man charged in connection wita de