Following the outbreak of a huge wildfire on Sunday night, all residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta have been forced to flee their homes.

The fire spiralled out of control at an alarming rate, doubling in size overnight Monday. Terrifying scenes were uploaded to Twitter as the entire city of 60,000 piled onto the highway in a bid to escape after official warnings.

Some fled north, while others drove south to Edmonton, 430 kilometres away – with many heartbroken that they had lost all their possessions after being told to leave immediately.

As the fire blazes on and residents ordered to evacuate their homes, social media became abuzz with updates and pictures of the incredible scenes.

Fort McMurray hospital being evacuated by bus, with critical patients first. Fire moving downtown. #ymmfire #ymm pic.twitter.com/IsYWQPeC43 — CBC Calgary (@CBCCalgary) May 4, 2016

A pic of what trying to leave Fort McMurray looks like right now pic.twitter.com/ESE7bzPkx1— chester (@ccccrystal__) May 4, 2016

#ymmfire Us getting out of Beacon Hill! My childhood home and everything I’ve ever known is burnt to the ground. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/eY1KmCVIvi— Holly Ayearst (@hollerslyfe) May 4, 2016

Headed north to safety but this was Abasand hill at 3:45pm when we got out #ymmfire #ymm pic.twitter.com/xqxRNXfJFu — Cheryl MacAulay (@cherylfortmac) May 3, 2016