RUSHFORD, Minn. — Jared Cords, 45, has been discharged following a house fire on Oct. 31 in Rushford, Minn. but his three daughters, from ages three to seven, all remain in critical condition at Regions Hospital.
A spokesperson for the Cords family released the following statement on their behalf:
"At this time, we want to focus on our family's healing and recovery. We appreciate and want to say thanks for all of the support, thoughts and encouragements."
According to a release from the Houston County Sheriff's Office, the house was occupied by a family of six at the time of the fire, and all were able to escape the house before authorities arrived at the scene.
The three girls and a 15-year-old male were transported to Winona Health Hospital in Winona, Minn. and Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. for injuries sustained in the fire. The three girls were later transferred to Regions Hospital with serious injuries. Cords was airlifted to Regions with serious injuries and his wife, 40, was transported to Gundersen.
Authorities received the call just after 12:30 a.m. of a house fire on Dump Hill Road in Rushford, Minn. Upon their arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames and declared a total loss.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshall and the Houston County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fire. No cause has been determined yet.
A fund has been set up for the family.
Assisting on the scene were the Houston Fire Department, Houston Ambulance, Rushford Fire Department, Rushford Ambulance, Tri-State Ambulance, Gundersen Air Helicopter, Winona Ambulance and the Houston Police Department.