Overnight fire destroys McKinney church, home and restaurant

MCKINNEY, Texas - McKinney firefighters are investigating two fires that destroyed multiple buildings near downtown early Monday morning.

No one was hurt, but an investigation is underway to determine if the fires were related.

The New Outreach Church of God in Christ on Wilcox Street, a home and a Chicken Express on McDonald Street were destroyed, according to the McKinney Fire Department.

READ MORE: Retired Haltom City police officer killed in fire

Crews from Allen, Fairview, Plano, Anna, Lowry Crossing and Westminster were called to help put out the flames. No one was injured in the fire. 

Mari Dominguez lives across the street from the church that caught on fire. She said she immediately thought of her neighbors who use oxygen tanks.

"Her husband was outside with the water hose trying to put water on their house," she recalled.

Dominguez got the family to safety. Their house was spared, but the woman who lives directly behind the church was not so lucky.

Magda Pampollona lived in the home for 33 years. She says late last night she looked out her window and saw the flames coming from the church.

"I ran outside and turned on the water for the garden hose, but by that time it was already coming across. Next thing I know my garage was on fire. I told the police and the police put it on the garage, put the water on the garage, so it wouldn't burn my house, wouldn't come to my house, but… no," she said.

Pampallona says she is in remission for stage four cancer. She made it out of her home with just the clothes on her back and her dogs. She is still looking for her cat.

As firefighters attacked the flames, another fire was reported a short distance away at a Chicken Express.

Firefighters from several surrounding agencies responded to assist McKinney in battling the growing fire.

Dominguez said it was extremely windy.

"The firemen, God bless them because they were out here," she said.

Despite their best efforts, the fast-food chain, church and house were destroyed.

Dominguez says she saw the pastor after Sunday service held earlier in the day.

"It is a busy church," she said. "They were just here. We had actually just spoken when they were leaving the church."

With help from the ATF, fire investigators are trying to figure out where the fire started and what sparked it.

Devastated, Pampallona is desperate for answers.

"I don’t know what I’m going to do," she said. "I’m by myself. I have nobody."

"This was a very intense fire that took a huge number of resources and hours of hard work to extinguish," said McKinney Fire Chief Danny Kistner. "As always, the most important thing is the safety of the residents and our firefighters."

The McKinney Fire Department evacuated neighbors from the area.

The American Red Cross is assisting Pampallona. She says she does have insurance.

While the neighborhood waits for answers, the pastor of the church posted on Facebook, "Father God, we are seeking you for direction during the loss of our church. Bless us to come together stronger."

Investigators are still working to find out the cause of the fires. The ATF has been called in to assist with the investigation.