Dozens gathered outside the charred remnants of a mobile home in Tempe during a vigil on Tuesday evening to mourn five family members who were killed due to a fire back in August.
The vigil came three days after 22-year-old Valerie Magana-Gonzalez died in the hospital — nearly three weeks after she entered the hospital in critical condition from injuries she sustained in the fire, according to a spokesperson for the family.
Magana-Gonzalez was mother to 18-month-old Ellany Ruiz and 3-year-old Ariaelly Ruiz, who both died in the fire on Aug. 25, according to Tempe police Sgt. Ryan Cook.
The father to the children, 24-year-old Enrique Ruiz, and his mother, 51-year-old Monica Ruiz, also died in the fire, according to Cook.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pictures of the deceased family were plastered across the chain-link fence in front of the home with flowers, stuffed animals and candles lining the fence. Friends and family members held lit candles as someone gave a prayer in Spanish.
Synthia Ruiz, a sister of Enrique and daughter to Monica, expressed how grateful she was to the community for coming together and supporting them. Ruiz said her family will be able to lay their loved ones to rest thanks to donations to a GoFundMe page that had raised nearly $19,000 to help cover funeral expenses.
“Tonight’s vigil is just to honor our loved ones,” Ruiz said. “To thank the community for all their love and their support that they’ve given to us. And more than anything to thank them for all of the support and all the donations we received thanks to community, friends and family.”
Ruiz said the most anyone can do for her family is to keep them in their prayers.
Giving help: Tempe woman seeks community support after mobile home fire claims 4 lives
“They were all amazing people,” Ruiz said. “I don’t think we’re ever going to forget our niece’s smiles, their joy, their voices. I think to this point we can still hear them. My mother is somebody that we can never forget, as well as my brother and our sister-in-law that, thanks to her, we had two amazing nieces.”
The vigil concluded with the crowd blowing out their candles and saying not “goodbye” but “see you later.”
Another fatality: Fifth victim dies after Tempe mobile home fire in late August
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dozens attend vigil to remember 5 killed in Tempe mobile home fire
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
