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A Canadian couple is among at least 13 people killed in a wildfire that has devastated parts of Tennessee this week.

Two Canadians killed in Tennessee wildfire. Death toll rises


Leeanna McLean
Digital Reporter

Friday, December 2, 2016, 1:57 PM - A Canadian couple is among at least 13 people killed in a wildfire that has devastated parts of Tennessee this week.

John Tegler, 71, and Marilyn Tegler, 70, were originally from Woodstock, Ont., and had their dual citizenship, according to The Associated Press. They owned a home in the Smoky Mountains resort city of Gatlinburg.

It is not known whether or not the couple received the evacuation order. No other details have been released.


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Canadians John and Marilyn Tegler were among the 13 people killed in Tennessee wildfires.

However, officials say other victims include a woman who was vacationing in Gatlinburg. She died after suffering from a heart attack due to smoke. A Memphis couple who was separated from their three sons also died in the blaze.

It ranks as the largest civilian death toll from a U.S. wildfire since 15 people, including a firefighter, were killed in southern California's Cedar Fire in 2003, according to Jessica Gardetto, a spokeswoman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

Hurricane-force winds caused the blaze to spread from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Gatlinburg, according to authorities. Over 14,000 residents and visitors were forced to evacuate, with about 1,000 structures damaged by the wildfire so far.

Evacuation orders were lifted on Wednesday for the nearby town of Pigeon Forge, home of country music star Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood.

"Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Sevier County is open for business," Sevier County mayor Larry Waters told The Associated Press Thursday. "We want people to know that they can visit these areas... and we encourage them to do that."

The blaze has burned over 4,000 hectares inside the national park, with another 2,400 hectares scorched outside of the park.

Steady rains on Tuesday night and into Wednesday helped firefighters slow the blaze. However, officials warned residents to use caution as months of drought left the ground very dry, with the possibility of the fire rekindling.

It is believed the fire was initially human-caused.

SOURCE: The Associated Press

WATCH BELOW: Gatlinburg Streets Choked With Smoke From Wildfires

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