Mother crusades for fire safety in son's memory

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Reporter - Lauren Adams
Photojournalist - David Dycus

Story Created: Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:31 PM

Story Updated: Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:31 PM

MURRAY, Ky. — Thirteen years after her son's death, Gail Minger has made it her mission to share his story and to champion for better laws on fire safety.

Michael Minger, 19, died after an arson fire trapped him in his dorm room at the Murray State University Campus.

"I'm working on the things Michael would have expected me to work on and that's improving campus safety and raising the awareness for students all across the nation."

Her crusade started in their Florida hometown and quickly spread to the nation's capital. Over the years, it has led to live-saving improvements in Kentucky, like the Michael Minger Act and the Campus Fire Safety Right to Know.

Minger said the legislation has likely saved lives, including her own.

"You never get over the death of a child and this is basically how I've been able to deal with it."

For more on her crusade, watch the video.