Five children and their mother who were seriously injured this week in a St. Paul house fire reportedly remain in critical to grave condition, and one child has died.
Mom, kids in critical to grave condition after fatal St. Paul house fire, father says
Pa Cheng Vang said his eldest daughter died of her injuries. At least two more of his children are not expected to survive.
January 5, 2024 at 10:55PM
Pa Cheng Vang said Thursday on social media that his eldest daughter had died of injuries from the blaze and two children were brain dead and unlikely to survive the next 24 hours.
Vang, who with his wife are parents of three boys and three girls, said a third child was at high risk of heart failure and brain death.
"I just have a best time playing with my kids ... and celebrate a fresh New Year with my family together. I can't believe it would be my last time I spent with my kids," Vang said via an online fundraiser.
"Our family is asking for privacy as we grieve the painful losses from Wednesday's fire and navigate the uncertainty of the situation."
Vang said his family will share no further information but plan to update the public at a news conference in the coming days.
A spokesperson for Regions hospital directed all inquiries about the conditions of the surviving family members to a GoFundMe page set up on their behalf.
Updates on the status of Vang's wife and children have been sparse. He said a doctor said one child had a 50/50 chance for survival.
Vang posted videos of himself singing and speaking to a son and daughter, who appeared to be on life support.
He said two children began moving and were out of the critical zone. But Vang added that his wife has a high risk of brain damage and might not see her other children before they're removed from life support.
In a social media post Friday, Vang named the three children who he said would be "on their journey."
"To Mom I hope you make it through and see it. You may not see your youngest son Mauj CagTxuj ever again," Vang wrote. "Mauj CagTxuj, Mauj tshav Ntuj and Ntshiab Si will be on their journey. When we got all the cloth ready. Hope their older sister [is] still waiting [for] them to go together."
Minnesotans responded to Vang's social media posts by calling on others to support his family. Among them was Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong, whose district includes the Vangs' home.
"I'm so heartbroken for the family and send my deepest condolences," Xiong said. "I know that as a working-class parent, you do everything to protect and provide for your family, but coming home from work to find your family in critical condition and your home burnt down is unimaginable."
St. Paul fire crews were alerted to the fire about 1:30 a.m., arriving to black smoke flowing out of the family's windows and doors. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze but said they do not believe the origin is suspicious.
Vang was working at the time, returning home after being alerted by police to find his wife and children badly injured and unresponsive. Neighbors said the Vangs are a polite and quiet family who often played together in their front yard. Video posted months ago on Pa Cheng Vang's social media show him playing with his son, tickling him as he smiled and bounced on Vang's lap.
St. Paul Deputy Fire Chief Roy Mokosso confirmed the eldest daughter's death and said it was the first fire death in Minnesota of 2024.
Star Tribune staff writer Paul Walsh contributed to this story.
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