ROWLETT, TX -- The Garcia family finally thought things were turning around when new floors were installed in their house a couple of weeks ago.
It was one of the final steps to almost $40,000 in needed repairs after their home on Lake Bend Dr. was struck by a devastating tornado on December 26, 2015.
But a massive fire early Sunday morning has now left them out in the cold yet again.
"You start to ask yourself, 'What else? What else?'" said David Garcia.
David and his wife Kendra, along with her two grown children and seven dogs, were able to make it out of the house safely, only to watch it quickly be destroyed.
"It's a loss. As soon as we got across the street, you could see the ceiling coming down," said Kendra.
The family said firefighters think a faulty chimney or fireplace is to blame. The family lit a fire overnight to keep warm as temperatures plunged.
The fact it's all happening nearly one year since that devastating EF-4 twister came tearing through only makes it tougher.
The family was preparing to sell the house at that time after it was used as a rental. The sale fell through after the twister hit.
"We have new flooring, the house is almost ready to go, and now we get hit with this," David said.
Most of the family's personal items, including clothes and photos, were lost in the Sunday fire, as were other essentials like furniture and computers.
"The neighbors have been really great. We really have a sense of community here since the tornado," said David.
On Lake Bend Drive alone, he said at least three families lost their homes entirely in the tornado. Many others suffered damage.
Friends and neighbors are collecting donation items, especially gifts cards to restaurants and stores, for the Garcias. The drop off locations are below:
Southern Pride Openings
5101 Gordon Smith Dr, Rowlett, TX 75088
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 am - 5 pm
Studio 360 Hair Salon
8602 Lakeview Pkwy, Rowlett, TX 75089
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am - 8 pm; Wednesday & Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
De'lectable De'signs by De' Hair Salon
3830 Main St, Rowlett, TX 75088
A GoFundMe page has also been created to help the Garcia family. Go here to donate.