Gatlinburg father searches for wife, daughters after fire

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WATE 6 On Your Side staff – GATLINBURG (WATE) – TEMA says over 14,000 people after evacuated Sevier County due to the wildfire in the Smoky Mountains. Many residents and visitors are trying to contact loved ones who evacuated.

WATE 6 On Your Side met Michael Reed at the LeConte Center. Michael has not seen or heard from his wife Constance and daughters Lily and Chloe, since a phone call Monday. Lily is 9-years-old and Chloe is 12-years-old.

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"We are just hoping for a miracle," said Reed.

After hearing about the fires, Reed and his son tried to drive to Gatlinburg. However, the two got stuck in traffic and were not able to turn around.

The last time he heard from them, he told his wife to call 911 for help after she said she saw flames across the street from the home. Michael and his son were able to get into Gatlinburg to visit shelters, but have not found them.

"When we finally made our way back into Gatlinburg, to try to get to her all of Wiley Oakley was gone," said Reed. "It was completely on fire." There house was completely engulfed in flames.

Michael and his son were able to visit their Gatlinburg home which was destroyed. He says there are signs that his family escaped.