New details on deadly Dallas mobile home park fire – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

A woman is in custody after admitting to starting a fire Saturday morning that destroyed at least four mobile homes and killed a man and three dogs.

Dallas police have arrested 38-year-old Mirsa Lopez and charged her with arson with intent to damage a dwelling. Additional fees may apply.

According to an affidavit obtained by NBC 5, Lopez admitted to police that she intentionally started a fire Saturday morning after Gary Fischer refused to let her into his apartment in a mobile home park at 2665 Lombardy Lane in northwest Dallas .

Fischer spoke to NBC 5 and said he woke up to a knock on his door and his dogs barking.

“There she was,” said Fischer. “I said, 'Try later' and locked the door.”

Minutes later, Fischer said he heard a loud noise and saw flames outside his home.

“I saw fire coming into the window from above and smoke quickly filling the room. I could hardly breathe,” said Fischer.

When the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department arrived, they discovered flames coming from the back of one of the mobile homes and two vehicles. The fire quickly spread to other homes, intensifying the response to a second alarm.

A total of four houses were destroyed and two others were damaged. Firefighters found an unconscious man in one of the houses. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. As of Monday afternoon, the victim had not been identified.

“He didn’t live here. He was visiting,” Fischer said.

On Monday morning, Fischer returned to the scene of the deadly fire in hopes of salvaging valuables.

“I found a lot of pictures,” said Fischer. “I recovered my son’s ashes.”

Fischer's home and two vehicles were destroyed. While the stress of making up for his material loss weighs on him, Fischer said it is the deaths of his two dogs, Gracie and Honey, that hurt the most.

“They weren’t at the door. I expected both of them to be there,” said Fischer.

According to the affidavit, Lopez admitted to “using a lighter which she used to light a plastic bag on fire.” Lopez told police she and Fischer had a relationship, that she was upset that he didn't let her in and that she knew he was inside when she started the fire.

Family of eight loses their home in a fire

Next to Gary Fischer's property was the home of Apolinar Moreno, his wife and their six children, ages 2 to 17.

“Agradecido con Dios,” Moreno said in Spanish. With only the clothes on his back and a heart full of gratitude, Moreno praised God for making it out alive.

Moreno had to be at work Saturday morning and had his alarm set for 6:30 a.m. When he woke up, he said he saw his room full of smoke.

Moreno and his oldest son helped everyone outside. On Monday afternoon, the family sat in their SUV parked across from the charred rubble. He said people donated clothing.

In Spanish, Moreno told NBC 5 that many people donated clothing and shoes. He said the donations will fill the trunk of his SUV for now; However, he will work to afford another home.

The American Red Cross confirmed it is helping 14 people with emergency assistance, including housing. The survivors said they were overwhelmed by the idea of ​​starting from scratch.