A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Saturday to support the family whose four children died after a fire in their St. Paul home.

It’s being held at American Indian Magnet School, where twins who perished were kindergarteners and where their mother works. Ker Lor and two of her children remain hospitalized.

The vigil from 1-3 p.m. Saturday is open to the public and will be inside the school at 1075 E. Third St., according to the Hmong 18 Council.

“Let us come together to shine a light for healing and supporting the Vang Family,” the Council wrote.

Pa Cheng Vang, father of the injured family, speaks at a news conference at the Hmong 18 Council’s Office in St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)

People have reached out about donations for the two surviving children, who “lost their Christmas toys & presents, home, and belongings” in the fire, the Council wrote, saying that anyone who wants to bring donations can do so on Saturday. A 6-year-old boy, who is a first-grader at the school, wears size 6-7. A girl, who is 2 and will turn 3 next month, wears size 3-4.

For people who want to send gifts to the children, the Hmong 18 Council said they can mail them to their office, Attention: Vang Family and children, 911 E. Maryland Ave., Suite F1, St. Paul, MN 55106.

Lor has worked at American Indian Magnet School since the fall of 2022. She is a special education teaching assistant, according to the school district. She previously was an intern in St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s office.

Lor remains in critical condition, while her two children are doing better, said Tongai Vang, an uncle of her husband, Pa Cheng Vang, on Thursday.

“American Indian Magnet School and the entire St. Paul Public Schools community are holding Pa Cheng Vang and his family in our hearts,” said Erica Wacker, school district spokesperson. “This unthinkable tragedy is something no family should ever have to experience. We are wrapping our arms around them and will continue to support the family however we can in the days and months to come.”

Vang was at work on Jan. 3 when a fire broke out at his home in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood about 1:30 a.m. There were working smoke detectors, but Lor and their children couldn’t escape, the fire department has said. Firefighters carried them each out unconscious, giving them all CPR at the scene and getting them to the hospital.

Siv Ntshiab Vang, 5, died later that day. Her twin sister, Ntshiab Siv Vang, and brother, Muaj Tshav Ntuj Vang, 4, died Jan. 5. Muaj Cag Txuj Vang, an 18-month-old boy, passed away Jan. 6.

The fire on Arkwright Street near Maryland Avenue was accidental and the cause will be included in a final report, which hasn’t been completed, a fire department spokesman said earlier this week.

A fundraiser for the children’s funerals and in support of the family can be found at gofundme.com/f/siv-ntshiab.

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