Three people have been killed in wildfires that have swept through the US state of Tennessee, authorities have said.

State Governor Bill Haslam said it was "the largest fire in the last hundred years in the state of Tennessee", with dozens of homes and businesses destroyed.

At least 14 fires were burning across the state, which has ravaged communities and forced the evacuation of 14,000 people.

A further 2,000 have been placed in emergency shelter.

In Gatlinburg, one of the worst affected areas, about half the town's 10-square miles has been affected, with more than 100 structures damaged.

Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller, told a news conference on Tuesday: "This is a fire for the history books. The likes of this has never been seen here. But the worst is definitely over with."

President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to express his condolences to the victims of "these terrible wildfires", and urged people to "stay safe".

Strong winds of up to 80mph and drought conditions have hampered rescue efforts.

Cassius Cash, superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, called the inferno "unprecedented".

Speaking to NBC News, he said: "Nothing that we've experienced in the 24 hours has prepared for what we've experienced here in the last 24 hours.

"[It has] been just unbelievable what we've experienced here."