Ralph Pye joined family and friends for a small candle light vigil to remember his 10-year-old daughter, A'naya. It was held near a growing makeshift memorial near the scene of the apartment fire at West Chicago and Burt that took her life.
"God called her too soon. She was a good baby," Pye said.
The angelic girl died Thursday night.
She was left home alone with her 3-year-old brother and an open stove that was turned on for warmth. Their mother was visiting a friend in an apartment upstairs.
Neighbors tried to rescue A'naya, but were pushed back by the flames.
Her father fought back tears as he remembered his fondest memories of her.
"Being born. That's the most beautiful memory I ever had, her being born," he said.
Surveillance video captured Pye's three-year-old son, Ralph Junior, running into a liquor store next door for help.
"I know God called one, but he left me with one and I'm blessed!," Pye exclaimed.
The children's mother is being hospitalized for stress. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with burial costs.
