Shirley Wilmer moved with pain, holding her heart with each time she stopped as if she expected it to give out at any time.

In her hand she clutched a picture of her three-year-old granddaughter Tyanna Lashay Moore, who died late Thursday night in a house fire.

The daughter of Crystal Moore, Tyanna died in the fire at 302 Selma, according to the Selma Fire Department.

“She was God’s angel,” Wilmer said. “She was helpful.

She was concerned. She looked after her little sister.”

The SFD was called to the fire at about 10:30 p.m.

The house was completely engulfed when they arrived, resulting in the total destruction of the home, according to the department.

Fire Chief Henry Allen said an early investigation shows the fire started when a four-year-old set a bed on fire while playing with matches.

“The four-year-old admitted he was playing with matches,” Allen said.

Allen said six children and three different families were in the home when the fire started.

The children’s ages ranged from infant to 16-year-old.

“She called her grandma ‘Mama,'” Wilmer said. “She looked out for Mama.

She always said how much she loved her daddy.”

Before calling the SFD, Allen said someone attempted to put the fire out.

The attempt failed and gave the fire time to spread.

In the rush to get everyone out, Allen said, “somehow they left a three-year-old in the fire.”

The child was found later in the front of the home, Allen said.

“The house was totally destroyed,” he said.

Wilmer talked about how much Tyanna was loved by her family and how much she loved playing with her cousins.

“Tyanna was my cousin but she was more like another child to me,” Beranda Wilmer added. “But I know it was her time.

Finally, her grandmother said she knew the Lord had called the baby home.

“Her grandmother loved her, but God loves her best.”