Reports indicate that the toddler was asleep at the time of the fire.

Family members explained that the toddler was at home with his twin brother and some other relatives. His mother was at work at the time of the blaze.

In a matter of minutes, the relatives said, the entire dwelling was on fire.

“[Zayan] was there with his grandfather, and [Zayan] fell asleep, and the grandfather just stepped out for a few minutes. And by the time he reached next to the laundry, he saw the house fully engulfed,” explained the deceased’s granduncle, John Peter.

The tightly-knit family spoke to reporters that afternoon and said they will miss him dearly.

His great grandmother, Bertilia Peter, tells of the love she had for the toddler and says she will not be able to cope with his passing any time soon.

“That broke me down, especially that child. I don't think I'll sleep well tonight and I’ll not eat. I still want my boy. I cannot believe I lost my boy at all,” she said emotionally.

Zayan’s grandmother, Donna Peter, says she is looking to God for strength during this difficult time.

“I didn't know today would be the last day I would hold him and dance with him. It's hurting, but I don't know, I just don't know how to deal with it, but I know God is good. Anything that he allows, he has better plans for you,” she explained.

One of the responding firefighters from the Micoud Police Station, Denver Chiquot, details the emergency response by personnel.

“We got reports from bystanders that there was reportedly a young male child in the house. So the rest of the operation was basically a recovery. We were trying to make an attempt to locate and recover the remains of that male individual,” he said.