close
close

Ourladyoftheassumptionparish

Part – Newstatenabenn

Five brothers seriously injured in propane tank explosion caused by cigarette
patheur

Five brothers seriously injured in propane tank explosion caused by cigarette

Five Minnesota brothers were seriously injured in a propane tank explosion.

The brothers, ages 6 to 14, suffered severe burns in an explosion at a storage unit north of Bagley, Minnesota, at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office said, according to CBS News and local outlets KROC-AM News and the minnesota star tribune.

Preliminary investigations determined the explosion occurred after an adult male accidentally lit a cigarette in a leaking propane tank inside the storage unit.

Brothers Keegan, Kaeto, Braedyn, Tannen and Zander Ritchie were left in critical condition from the explosion and were transported to a burn treatment center in Hennepin, Minnesota, for additional care, according to a report. GoFundMe page created for children by her sister Kyra Frank.

The storage unit north of Bagley, Minnesota.

google street view


“My five little brothers were involved in an explosion,” Kyra wrote. “All prayers are needed and appreciated. My mother is a single mother and works and now takes time off to be with her children. He could use all the help provided. We know very little at the moment, but we will provide updates as we hear.”

The brothers suffered burns ranging from 5% to 55% in the incident, according to the GoFundMe page.

Authorities shared that the man who lit the cigarette also suffered severe burns in the explosion, according to CBS and KROC-AM News. He is reportedly the brothers’ father, according to Minnesota’s star tribune.

Never miss a story: sign up PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In an update shared on their GoFundMe page, the brothers are said to be in stable condition and have “a long road ahead of them.”

“The surgeon informed us that everyone will need surgery at some point during this process,” her sister Kyra continued. “The stays are going to be long and the medical bills high, plus mom won’t be able to be at work. We have increased the donation goal and sincerely appreciate all your help and prayers.”

So far, more than $43,000 has been donated to the brothers’ GoFundMe page.

PEOPLE have reached out to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office for further comment.