DETROIT – The daughter of the woman who died in Monday’s apartment fire in downtown Detroit is seeking answers about what happened to her mother.
The family identified the victim as 86-year-old Nancy Hayes.
Hayes’ daughter Judy said she saw the fire on the news and tried calling her mom, but she didn’t answer.
“She didn’t answer again, so I left and went there and found out it was her,” Judy said.
Judy said her mom lived on the 14th floor and had been a resident there for about 15 years.
A neighbor told Judy her mom was trying to escape from the smoke.
Officials told Local 4 that Hayes was found in the stairwell after suffering an apparent medical emergency while trying to escape.
Officials said more than 100 people called the building home, especially one resident on the 14th floor.
The resident said she heard a loud boom, and smoke started filling the building. She stayed in her apartment until Detroit fire crews led her out to safety.
Building management said they were “devastated” to hear about the death and that they are working with authorities in the investigation.
Judy has many questions and concerns about what happened, including why a senior living center would be a high rise.
“I don’t think any senior should be in a high-rise period,” Judy said. Just two or three floors as the max that’s it.”