Woman who saved grandchild, but lost everything in fire picks up the pieces

ROMULUS, Mich. (WJBK) - More than 30 families were displaced in an apartment fire on Diane Street in September.

Katherine Moore's was one of them. She arrived home that night to find the building on fire. Her 18-year-old granddaughter was inside sleeping.

"I started running to the door and it happened the door was open," she said. "I was able to get my granddaughter out. I called her at first and I couldn't get her."

Moore woke up her granddaughter and the pair escaped, but says she lost everything. She was able to save a few articles of clothing, but one month and several washes later they still smell of smoke.

Youngsters Freddie King and Ryan Stockton knocked on doors as the fire raged, in an effort to save lives. Everyone got out safe.

At least one building at the Barrington apartment complex on Diane, is still uninhabitable after the roof collapsed.

Several were left without homes as a result. Neighbors say 15-20 foot flames could be seen nearby. It has been called Romulus' worst fire this year.

The ferocity of the fire forced an evacuation at nearby apartment as multiple fire departments were needed to get the blaze under control.

Crews were eventually able to subdue the fire, so only one building was a total loss.  At least three buildings were evacuated.

"I am so grateful nothing happened to them," said Marilyn Hugan, Katherine's sister. "We'll get the stuff back."

For Katherine's family, the fact that she and the her granddaughter - the youngest among them - made it out, means everything.

"She has her moments when she is down," Hugan said. "But I have to lift her up and say 'God spared you and nothing happened to you, you have your life.'"

Katherine is getting a new apartment this Friday and it happens to be closer to work than her last one.

There is still no official cause of the fire as the investigation is ongoing.