Action News 5 - Memphis, TennesseeMemphis woman's rampage ends with setting K-Mart on fire

(WMC-TV) - A Memphis woman went on an angry tirade through several public locations Tuesday, ending at a K-Mart where she set multiple fires.

According to Memphis police, Linda McKinnie began her rampage inside a Wendy's on Austin Pea Highway.

Witnesses said McKinnie was quietly eating her Wendy's meal when the mid-day mayhem began. She suddenly started yelling at customers and threw a chair, leaving a massive crack in a window.

As Wendy's employees made a fast call to 911, workers at a nearby ALDI said McKinnie entered their supermarket talking loudly. After a warning from Wendy's employees, ALDI guards escorted her out.

Witnesses watched as McKinney crossed six-lanes of traffic, entering the K-Mart.  Lewis, a K-Mart employee, said McKinnie moved through the store like a blur.

"I didn't see her," he said. "I saw a brown dress. That's about it."

As she moved through the store, McKinnie used two lighters to set items on fire.

"I saw a lot of smoke," Lewis said. "It looked like, you know when you're at a Halloween party or something? You ever went to a Halloween party and seen a lot of smoke?"

Investigators said McKinnie set multiple fires throughout the store. In the end, 59 emergency personnel responded, and sprinklers inside the store helped to put them out."

Lewis said he worried about customers, but no one was hurt.

"Dustin, the manager, got them out in time," Lewis said. "He did a great job."

Employees hope the store will re-open Thursday.  Meanwhile, McKennie has been charged with aggravated arson.  She is scheduled to appear in court on July 7.

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