In the wake of a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of four young siblings in Saint Paul, the community gathered to honor their memory and support the bereaved family. The early January blaze reportedly triggered by an unattended candle, engulfed a home on the 1200 block of Arkwright Street North while the children's father was away at work. "As a parent it is beyond understanding, it is beyond hard," a family spokesman expressed to the crowd at a touching vigil held at the American Indian Magnet School, as KARE 11 reported.
The victims, identified as 1-year-old boy Muaj, 5-year-old twin girls Sivntxhi and Ntshiab Si, and a 4-year-old boy, Muaj Tshav Ntaj, succumbed to injuries sustained during the tragic event. Three surviving members of the Vang family remain hospitalized, with the mother and one child in an unconscious state, while another child shows signs of improvement. "Our total interaction time was nine minutes from the time we arrived on scene to the time we arrived at Regions [Hospital]," St. Paul Fire Captain Rob Watson revealed in a statement obtained by FOX 9.
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was present at the vigil, echoing the sentiment of unity and collective care within the city. The heroism of first responders was also recognized as they recounted their harrowing experiences that night. "They did everything they could, they did everything they could," remarked Saint Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks, commending the 63 first responders who attended the emergency.
In a show of solidarity and support, the firefighters' union has donated $10,000 to the Vang family to aid with expenses. To further alleviate the financial burdens, a GoFundMe campaign was established, having amassed over $480,000 by Sunday morning.
