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People who escaped the fast-moving wildfire that came scorching through Gatlinburg at nearly 90 miles per hour keep using the same word to describe it: Hell.
"There was fire everywhere. It was like we were in hell," Linda Monholland told the Associated Press. "Walking through hell, that's what it was. I can't believe it. I never want to see something like that again in my life, ever."
"Hell opened up," said Sissy Stinnett, her colleague at Park View Inn in Gatlinburg, from which they had to flee on foot.
A different sort of hell surrounds the owners of the Mysterious Mansion - billed as "Gatlinburg's oldest and scariest haunted attraction." They don't know if the building survived or not.
MORE: Gatlinburg aquarium gives an update on animals after wildfires rip through town
A few hours later, there was a more hopeful update: "So we've been getting conflicting reports. The news and eyewitnesses last night are saying the mansion was destroyed. But now we have been getting reports that it still stands. We have not been able to get into town to see with our own eyes because of the evacuations. So Please stay tuned within the next few days. And we will let you all know as soon as we can into town. Thank you all for the kind words and support during this tragic situation."
The most recent post is a photo showing the venerable attraction shrouded in haze but still standing and apparently undamaged. But they haven't been able to check it out so aren't yet entirely sure.
Please return for updates.
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