ST PAUL, Minn. — A St. Paul man is embracing a ray of hope after losing four children in a house fire in early January.
On Feb. 1, Pacheng Vang reported on a GoFundMe page set up for surviving family members that his young daughter has been discharged from Regions Hospital after nearly a month of treatment. He says hospital staff did their best to get her up and moving again, calling the little girl "at least one bright star shine(ing) on my shadow."
In Thursday's update, Vang added that his 28-year-old wife was moved to a different hospital but still isn't moving, only opening her eyes and occasionally crying or "smiling" at jokes when family comes to visit.
Vang says his young son is now out of ICU, and has been able to pronounce "1 and 2, it make(s) me cry as a father." He shared concerns about the boy's lack of movement as doctors have said the fire and smoke inhalation "severely damaged" his brain.
The Jan. 3 fire on Arkwright Street claimed the lives of 1-year-old Muaj Vang, 5-year-old twin girls Sivntxhi Vang and Ntshiab Si Vang, and 4-year-old Muaj Tshav Ntaj Vang.
Fire crews were dispatched to the Vang home just after 1:30 a.m. Firefighters entered the burning structure and located seven victims on the main level. Deputy Chief Roy Mokosso said in a press conference the day after the fire that 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. A St. Paul fire spokesman later said the fire was likely started by an unattended candle.
Firefighters said the deadly fire underlined the importance of having an escape plan that is not only formulated but practiced, especially by young children. Vang echoed that message at a vigil to honor the kids who have passed.
"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.”
The GoFundMe account set up for the family has reached nearly $494,000. In his most recent post Vang said donations to the fund will be shut down Feb. 9, and thanked everyone for their support and prayers.
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