SAINT PAUL, Minn. — According to a GoFundMe account started by the family, three children injured in a Saint Paul house fire have died.
On Friday, the account posted “I lost 2 of my children, I lost a son and a younger twin daughter. My youngest son is still in critical condition and may not survive in the next 24 hours as well. Please everyone help me pray that he will recover.”
This update follows another made on Thursday, Jan. 4, saying that two children were not expected to survive the next 24 hours. The children’s mother is also at high risk of not surviving, the post said.
For the first time Saturday, the father, Pa Cheng Vang, spoke. In an emotional press conference, he shared a message weighing heavily on his mind right now – ensuring young children understand what to do during a situation like this.
“So I highly encourage every single family, at least a quarter or a semester, to start practice fire drills often, especially in the middle of night,” Vang said. “Yeah, at least teach them, teach your kids even test a just a drill practice at home, learn how to call 911.”
The GoFundMe has reached more than $330,000 of a $350,000 goal as of Saturday evening.
Fire crews were sent to the home on the 1200 block of Arkwright St. N just after 1:31 a.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters entered the burning structure and located seven victims on the main level. Deputy Chief Mokosso said the victims were unconscious when they were pulled from the home, and paramedics immediately performed CPR on all of them before they were rushed to the hospital.
The homeowner told KARE 11 he was at work when the fire started and confirmed that his wife and six children were inside.
Saint Paul Deputy Fire Chief Mokossosaid said some of the family members are in critical condition.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
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