00:42 Northwest to Get Needed Rain Meteorologist Domenica Davis times out the arrival of rain in the drought-stricken, fire-ravaged region.

At a Glance Residents and business owners had their first look at the damages Friday.

Twelve deaths in Gatlinburg have been confirmed by local officials.

Emergency officials say at least 700 structures have burned, including a 16-story hotel.

Authorities have created an interactive map detailing damaged or destroyed properties. Friday residents and business owners in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, were allowed into the city to assess the damage left behind by the massive, deadly wildfire that has left at least 12 dead.

Many walked around in a daze, sobbing. Homes had been reduced to unrecognizable piles of rubble.

"We love it up here so much," resident Gary Moore told the Associated Press. "We lost everything. But we're alive, thank goodness. Our neighbors are alive, most of them. And we're just so thankful for that."

Residents Scott and Tammy Sherrod also returned to see what was left of their house for the first time. Scott calmly walked through what remained of the home he bought with a VA loan four years ago. Tammy sat among the ashes and cried.

Tammy and her daughter salvaged a few items, including a pottery coaster that her daughter had made when she was a little girl. Half of it shined in bright colors, while the other half was charred black. Brianna's name was still written on the back.

"That's all we got," said Tammy.

After days of waiting to see their homes, some of the shock gave way to anger.

"The city sure could have done a better job of getting us out of here," said Delbert Wallace. "When they got up that morning, when they seen that fire, we should have been on alert right then."

The blaze spread in less than 24 hours, fed by 87 mph winds and months of drought. At 5 o'clock there were no fires in Gatlinburg. Within an hour, 20 buildings were ablaze.

Officials announced Friday morning that the death toll had risen to 12, and another person suffered a heart attack and died during or after the evacuation. In an earlier press conference, authorities said 80 people were injured. As of Friday, at least 1,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in what is being called the worst wildfire disaster in Tennessee in a century.

Three of the victims have been identified by local news networks. Family members confirmed to WATE.com that Alice Hagler, 70, who went missing on Monday, was found dead at her home in the Chalet Village area of Gatlinburg.

WBIR.com also confirmed through family members the deaths of Jon and Janet Summers , both 61, who had been missing for days. Their bodies were recovered in North Chalet Village, and their three sons remain hospitalized with injuries, the report added.

The three brothers, Jared, Wesley and Branson, were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated for burns , WKRN.com reports. Medical director Dr. Blair Summit told media that each son suffered burns to their faces and hands. Wesley also suffered burns to his arms. Jared has already been released and only had burns to 2 percent of his body.

A couple vacationing from Canada was also among the five victims identified by officials, but their names have not been released.

Officials are still investigating into the cause of the blaze. They believe it is man-made and are asking for the public's help to figure out who started it. At a news conference held Friday, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash asked people who hiked the Chimney Tops Trail on Nov. 23, or who knows someone who did, to contact the investigative team.

An interactive map detailing properties damaged or destroyed was released by authorities.

Property owners' daytime access to their properties is expected to continue through Tuesday.

The officials warned that structures are not necessarily safe to enter and may not be stable. Those visiting their properties are permitted to bring insurance adjusters.

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Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said the county is working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to make a list of missing persons and asked the public to call authorities to provide information on those still missing.

The Associated Press said almost nothing remained of the Castle, one of the largest and most iconic homes overlooking Gatlinburg. Officials also confirmed that the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa, with more than 100 buildings, is likely entirely razed by the fire.

Gov. Bill Haslam said it's the state's largest wildfire in 100 years.

"It’s a little numbing, to be honest with you, to see the extent of the damage," Haslam said.

Gatlinburg mayor Mike Werner, who said he lost his own home and business in the fire, offered encouragement to the community, saying Gatlinburg was "strong and very resilient."

"We will rebuild," said Werner. "It's going to be OK."

Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear said in a weather.com Facebook live interview that nine structures were destroyed in the town.

As dawn broke Tuesday morning, harrowing accounts began to emerge of the inferno that threatened the resort towns overnight.

On Monday, residents in Gatlinburg, parts of Pigeon Forge and areas along the Spur were told to evacuate around 9 p.m., according to WATE.com. Just over an hour later, some 30 structures were on fire in Gatlinburg, including a 16-story hotel, emergency officials told the Associated Press.

Guests at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge were evacuated from nearby cabins as the fire advanced towards Parton's property, WATE said in a separate report, and crews were working to protect the park from the flames. As of late Monday night, no structures at Dollywood had been destroyed, according to a statement from the park.

Dolly Parton released a statement Tuesday expressing her thoughts on the fires.

"I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken. I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared," Parton said.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, both popular vacation destinations, are home to a combined 10,000 permanent residents.