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5 Young Brothers Were Seriously Injured in the Explosion Caused by a Cigarette-Smoking Man Igniting a Propane Tank: Reports
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5 Young Brothers Were Seriously Injured in the Explosion Caused by a Cigarette-Smoking Man Igniting a Propane Tank: Reports

According to the information obtained, the tragic incident occurred in a warehouse in Minnesota on Monday, November 4.

Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Minneapolis Star Tribune/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Hennepin County Medical CenterRichard Tsong-Taatarii/Minneapolis Star Tribune/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Hennepin County Medical Center

Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Minneapolis Star Tribune/ZUMA Wire/Alamy

Hennepin County Medical Center

Five brothers from Minnesota were seriously injured when a propane tank exploded.

The brothers, ages 6 to 14, suffered severe burns in the explosion at a warehouse north of Bagley, Minnesota, around 12:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office reported. CBS News and local sales points KROC-AM News And MinnesotaStar Tribune.

Initial investigations determined that the explosion occurred when a leaking propane tank in the storage unit was accidentally ignited by an adult male lighting a cigarette.

Brothers Keegan, Kaeto, Braedyn, Tannen, and Zander Ritchie remained in critical condition following the explosion and were transported to a burn treatment center in Hennepin, Minnesota, for further care, according to a news release. GoFundMe page Created for boys by their sister Kyra Frank.

google street view storage unit north of Bagley, Minnesotagoogle street view storage unit north of Bagley, Minnesota

google street view

Storage unit north of Bagley, Minnesota

“My five little siblings were involved in an explosion,” Kyra wrote. “All prayers are needed and appreciated. My mom is a single working parent and now takes time off to be with her sons. He needed all the help he could get. “We know very little at this time but will provide updates as we hear.”

According to the GoFundMe page, the brothers suffered burns ranging from 5 to 55 percent in the incident.

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

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An update shared on their GoFundMe page says the brothers are in stable condition and have a “long road ahead of them.”

“The surgeon informed us that they would all need surgery at some point along the way,” their sister Kyra continued. “The stays will be very long and the medical bills will be high, plus my mother will not be able to go to work. “We have raised our donation goal and sincerely thank you for all your help and prayers.”

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

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