Fort Worth firefighters, from left, Bryce Eubanks, Michael Boucher and Lt. Mike Yarbrough battle a blaze at a strip shopping center in the 6900 block of McCart Avenue. The fire caused $550,000 in damage to 11 businesses.
Mark Kim was busy making doughnuts about 5 a.m. Monday when he saw the milkman outside gesturing wildly toward the other end of the strip shopping center.
Kim, 19, saw flames shooting off the roof of the shopping center, in the 6900 block of McCart Avenue. He dialed 911 and felt sick as he watched the fire creep toward his father's store, Moon's Donuts, which is uninsured.
Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading, but not before it caused $550,000 in damage to 11 businesses, including an antique shop, a burrito restaurant, a doctor's office and a storefront church.
Investigators have not determined the cause, Lt. Kent Worley said.
Much of the red-brick building was unsafe for close inspection; parts of the roof caved in.
The main sanctuary and entryway of the Westside Unitarian Church were destroyed, church members said.
"It's very upsetting, but we hope to have a service this Sunday," said John Huffman, a member of the church's board. "It's just a sad thing to see."
