These charred remains are all that is left of the Canadian town of Fort McMurray after it was ravaged by wildfires.

More than 2000 homes and buildings were destroyed in the blaze and the entire town had to be evacuated.

And residents have not yet seen the damage themselves as they will not be allowed to return for at least another two weeks.

However rain has brought a welcome respite to the area and fire fighters were able to save about 25,000 other buildings.

These include the hospital, municipal buildings and every functioning school.

Fire chief Darby Allen said the fire was "a beast", adding: "It was an animal. It was a fire like I've never seen in my life."

While Alberta's premier Rachel Notley said it was a "miracle" no one was killed.

In the early stages of the fire, he feared more than half the city could burn down.

Mr Allen said at one point the fire raced down a hill to the corner of a bank, but firefighters were able to halt the encroaching flames at the bank.

Had they failed to stop it there, the fire would have destroyed the central business district.

More than 88,000 people have left Fort McMurray since the fire broke out last Tuesday in the heart of Canada's oil sands region.

Gas has been turned off, the power grid is damaged and water is undrinkable in Fort McMurray.

More than 250 power company workers are trying to restore the grid and assess the gas infrastructure.