Mississippi pastor, four family members die in house fire

Associated Press WriterFLORENCE, Miss. (AP) -- A Baptist minister who established a new church in this town four months ago died along with his wife and three sons Tuesday when fire swept through their rural home.

Bodies of the Rev. Sammy J. McDonald, 41, his wife, Patricia Ann, 36, and their sons, James Lowrey, 13, Allen, 12, and Reese, 7, were discovered when firefighters arrived during the early morning hours and found the home engulfed in flames.

"This is a tragedy for all of us," said John McInnis, a deacon in McDonald's Victory Baptist Church. "There is a reason for what happens. We just have to pray and search out that reason."

Firefighters had not yet determined what caused the blaze. Clear Branch Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Kelly said he found space heaters in the house but had no indication that they started the blaze.

Relatives at the scene said several generations of McDonald's family had lived in the pine home southwest of Florence, which is about 12 miles south of Jackson.

McInnis said McDonald, who had previously served as pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Richland, established Victory Baptist in September. The church has 47 members.

Buddy McDonald, the uncle of Sammy McDonald, said he learned of the fire about 2 a.m. He said there were few words to describe how he felt.

"That's where I was born and raised," Buddy McDonald said. "That was my nephew and his family. My brother's son. I was the last one of 10 children that was born in that house. I don't know what else to say."

Sammy McDonald, an only child, is survived by an aunt and two uncles. Members of his wife's family were not immediately identified.

Asked what the new church would do next, McInnis replied, "We're going to have to wait and pray and see where the Lord leads us."