When fire ripped through the Riverview Crossings apartment complex in Riverview, Michigan late Easter night, resident Mykela (MY-keel-ah) Lane wasn’t at home. She had previously been home for 11 days in quarantine due to COVID-19 and was enjoying her first day out celebrating Easter with her family and friends.
“A neighbor called my cell phone the next morning to check on me and asked if I was alright,” Mykela said. “This was the first I’d heard of the fire and quickly drove to the scene with my boyfriend.”
When they arrived, the fire was still fully-engulfed with smoke and fire billowing out of her apartment window.
“I was so distraught at the sight,” she added. “I was crying and panicking at which point we left the scene because I couldn’t watch it burn anymore.”
The 20-year-old nursing student lost everything in the fire, including her books and laptop. She points to the assistance of the American Red Cross as a source of comfort during the most difficult time of her life.
“I met with the Red Cross every day. They really helped me a lot,” she said. “The provided me with money for clothes, a hotel room and lunch and dinner. I thought I’d be alone. The Red Cross assistance really comforted me.”
Mykela has since returned to work and is currently staying with her mother while she looks for a new apartment.
“I didn’t know what to do or how to deal with this,” she said. “The Red Cross was so helpful.”
Michigan Region News 