SAINT PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul neighbors will come together Saturday to host a vigil for the Vang family, after they lost four children following a house fire.
The community vigil will occur Saturday, Jan. 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the American Indian Magnet School in St. Paul. If you wish to donate to the family bring items to the vigil. Suggested donations include kitchen items, toys and clothes for the surviving children (sizes 3T and 4T for girls and 6T and 7T for boys).
A 1-year-old boy, Muaj Vang, died on the night of Jan. 6. He was preceded by his 4-year-old brother and twin 5-year-old sisters, police said.
At a news conference Jan. 6, Pa Cheng Vang, the children's father, said he was grateful for the community’s support since the fire broke out early on Jan. 3. He was at work at the time.
The other three children killed by the fire were identified as 5-year-old twin girls Sivntxhi Vang and Ntshiab Si Vang, and a 4-year-old boy, Muaj Tshav Ntaj Vang. Sivntxhi died on Jan. 3. Officials and the family announced the three other deaths the following weekend.
The children's 28-year-old mother remains hospitalized in critical condition, Vang said. She is at high risk of not surviving, according to a post on a GoFundMe created by the family. Two other children also remain hospitalized, but their conditions have improved.
A GoFundMe established for the Vangs has far exceeded the goal of $350,000 as of Tuesday morning, with more than $465,000 donated for funeral expenses. If you wish to donate, click here. The family also has a fundraiser on PayPal under the account name pacheng.lvang2017@gmail.com.
"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 the night," Vang said on Saturday. "Yeah, at least teach them, teach your kids even test a just a drill practice at home, learn how to call 911.”
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter joined the family at the news conference, saying he knew the couple and their children because Vang’s wife, Ker Lor, had previously interned in his office.
“You’ve endured all of our worst nightmares," the mayor said.
When the fire broke out on Wednesday, Jan. 3, fire crews were sent to the home on the 1200 block of Arkwright St. N just after 1:31 a.m.
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, Vang, told KARE 11 he was at work when the fire started and confirmed that his wife and six children were inside.
The cause of the fire was accidental, but it remains under investigation, Mokosso said. The home had working smoke detectors.
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