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McDonough school destroyed by fire

MCDONOUGH, Ga. — A McDonough school is reaching out for help after its building was destroyed by a fire.

Flames broke out at Closer Look Christian Academy, located on International Avenue, around 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The school’s chancellor says she got an alarm call and rushed to the school to investigate. When she opened the door, thick black smoke came pouring out of the building and she says she saw flames coming from a back classroom.

The interior of the school is heavily damaged. The upper floor has collapsed down into the first floor. School officials say no one was injured in the fire.

Forty students attend classes at the school, which has been in the same building for five years. The building also houses worship services on Sunday mornings.

"We're trying to find a new space, school building. We've shut school down Monday and Tuesday to work out something. We don't know if we can rebuild or what at this point,” said Mystique Vanolinda.

The fire chief says they have yet to determine how the fire started, but it was not suspicious.

The school believes it may have been electrical, but the fire marshal should be out Monday to investigate.

They are in need of donations and materials as they start to rebuild. Anyone interested in donating can visit their Facebook page for more information.