Kettering fire: Dad's heartbreaking tribute to 'whirlwind' girl, 4, killed in tragic fire

A grieving dad has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his "whirlwind" 4-year-old daughter after she tragically died in a near . Emergency services rushed to the blaze off Station Road, Rushton, at around 10.30pm on Friday. Despite their best efforts, Emma Conn, 30, and her daughter Mayci Fox died alongside Louie Thorn, 23, at the property.

Mayci’s dad Kyle paid a moving tribute in a statement via . He said: “Mayci Marion Georgina Fox arrived in the in a last-minute rush, starting the way she meant to go on, as a whirlwind. Becoming her dad was amazing. The feeling when I first saw her was so special, and I have adored her from the very start.

“She was the easiest baby, always so happy, and it was incredible watching her grow into a free-spirited, fearless and loving little girl. She was always ‘the baby’ to our family, or one of her many nicknames, and she would always say to me ‘I’m your baby girl’.

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“The first thing I picture when I think of Mayci is her smile. She was always smiling, being happy and cheeky, and it was impossible to stay cross in the face of that beautiful smile.

“She was wild and went her own way – she would have her Elsa dress on, with her beloved red wellies and messy hair. She loved being outside and getting dirty, always enjoying her forest school sessions at nursery and loved nothing more than sitting in a muddy puddle to play.

“She had her own little motorbike that she loved riding, she was fearless. She once crashed and fell off and I remember running over so scared that she was hurt, only to find her laughing and asking if she could do it again.

“A little livewire, nothing phased her. She loved water and learned to swim aged just two, which was a good thing because she would be there, trying to take off her armbands and jump in the deep end.

"She was a determined character, very bright, and would find ways to have things the way she wanted – like sneaking home the giraffe toy they used at nursery to signal tidy-up time, because in her mind if that was gone then she wouldn’t have to stop playing.

“Mayci was also so caring, even at four, she would always want to take care of people and look after them, especially her great grandma. One of her favourite things to do was to go to visit her, and we’d all catch the bus up to town and she’d get to choose something from the toy shop, usually Play Doh.

“We could sit for hours with her Play Doh and craft things, she loved making things and I loved getting involved with events at her nursery, she’d make me little gifts and pictures and I will treasure those forever.

“Mayci also loved animals and having pets, our family would just follow her about and she loved causing absolute chaos with them all. I also want to mention Mayci’s auntie Kay Kay, auntie Smee and uncle Ash – always winding her up, and I know they’re going to miss her making their lives hell stripping and dancing with her cousin Lou Lou. A future without my daughter is unimaginable. She is irreplaceable and was my world. I will love her and miss her forever.”

Mayci’s grandmother 'Nanny Wend' also added her own heartfelt tribute to her granddaughter. She said: “They broke the mould when they made Mayci. She was our crazy, beautiful and wild little girl.

“She would come here and be just so pleased to have an ice cream with Pap’s special chocolate sauce. She loved her blanket, and she loved to toast marshmallows on our fire, getting them everywhere, but she never cared, she was just having fun.

"From the moment she arrived she was the best thing ever, our little girl. Your love for your grandchildren is incredible, they melt your heart and wrap you round their finger. You let them do what you’d never have let your own children do. I don’t know what we’re going to do without her.”

Gemma, Mayci’s childcare provider, added: “Our Mayci Moo, our little whirlwind. The biggest smile to light up the darkest of rooms. She gave me and all the children all the love in the world. The best cuddles and the hardest of laughs. There is the biggest of holes in our lives now and we will miss you so much. Sleep tight, you will always be our Mayci Moo.”