A father who lost three of his six children in a fire earlier this week pleaded with the community to teach their children to call 911 and escape their home in a fire.

Pa Cheng Vang Vang, 25, spoke at a press conference at the Hmong 18 Council offices in St. Paul, surrounded by members of the Hmong community.

“I don’t want anyone else to face the same pain,” he said. “I never (want to) see any news … your family in the same condition as my family.”

Three of his children have now perished from injuries sustained in the early morning fire Wednesday that trapped his six children and wife in their Payne-Phalen home while he was at work.

Sivntxhi Vang, 5, was identified by the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office as the first chid to die. She passed away from her injuries at the hospital later on Wednesday. On Saturday morning, Vang said two other children, Ntshiab Si Vang, 5 (and Sivntxhi’s twin), and Manj Those Nutj, 4, a son, had also died.

After the press conference, Vang’s aunt, Yong Vang, said another son, Manu Cagtxuj Vaj, 18 months, was not expected to survive. However, she said, there were encouraging signs that the other two children and mother may recover from their injuries.

The fire department determined the fire on Arkwright Street near Maryland Avenue was accidental and the cause is under investigation, said Deputy Fire Chief Roy Mokosso.

Firefighters were notified at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. A 911 call was believed to have come from inside the house. There were working smoke detectors in the home, but the occupants were likely unable to escape because of the location of the fire on the first floor and because one adult was alone with six children, Mokosso said Wednesday.

A fundraiser for the family can be found at gofundme.com/f/siv-ntshiab.

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