KENTWOOD, Mich. —
What was supposed to be a shopping day for Rebecca Brower and her mom turned into devastation when her mom’s senior living facility went up in flames.
“I went out to my car, and I noticed that men were working on the attic, and I saw them flying out of the attic,” Brower said. “So I stopped to make sure everything was okay, and soon after, the smoke erupted. So I just ran into the building and helped others evacuate residents.”
Brower is a nurse and has a long history in long-term acute care nursing. She knows that patient safety is always number one which is why she had no hesitation going in.
Most of the residents were in a central location because of music activity, so it was easy to get people out of the building.
“But as the last couple people came out, it was, it was very thick and it was difficult to breathe. So it was very fortunate,” she said. “We had so many people helping to get those people out as fast as possible.”
Everyone made it out safely despite the heavy smoke. Brower said the location is going to shut down, but American House has made it easy to find alternate housing for her mom.
“And [American House has] been more than helpful with helping that process along. You know, I was able to place my mom already on Saturday, so, I mean, that was just two short days,” she said. “So it was amazing. They have been so amazing with the follow through and the communication with the families.”
The fire department has been in touch with Brower about her mom’s belongings, but Brower fears they’re too damaged and waterlogged to be salvageable.
The Kentwood Fire Department has no updates as of this time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.