THREE RIVERS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It could have been a horrific disaster, if not for the heroic actions of a tenant at the Maple Crest Apartments.
Three Rivers police say 40-year-old Michael Taylor cut the phone lines, cut a natural gas line, barricaded the main exit and then set a fire in a trash bin in the hallway.
The smoke triggered smoke detectors in the hallway and 66-year-old tenant Sharon Sayer swung into action.
She grabbed the trash bin, used her shoulder to force open the door, which had a chair and a broom propped up against it and tossed the trash can outside.
She also saw Taylor and later pointed him out to police when he returned to the scene.
Police say 9 people were in the building at the time and it could have turned out much worse.
Taylor, a repeat offender, has been charged with arson and could get life if convicted. Bond was set at $150,000
