Father commended by City Council for saving family from fire

While Peter "Dao" Yang may not consider himself a hero, it seems like everyone else does.

Yang, 59, helped six of his family members escape a fire at their home Sunday night. He was not able to find his 4-year-old daughter Ntshialiag, who he was told was hiding under a bunk bed. Ntshialiag (pronounced Chialia) was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

In an interview this week, Yang said he did not consider himself a hero and that he felt guilty that he wasn't able to save his last daughter.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a resolution honoring Yang for his "heroic" efforts to rescue his family, and offering its condolences in the death of Ntshialiag.

The resolution said that Yang "unselfishly put his own life on the line, sustaining level seven carbon monoxide in his bloodstream and requiring medical attention, while attempting six or seven times to rescue his four-year-old daughter."

"A real tragedy, but the man gave it his all," said Council Member Dan Bostrom, who sponsored the resolution.

Fire officials haven't yet released the cause of the fire.

"Escape options, planning and practice keep people alive in a building fire," West said. "Children can be taught to get out and stay out if parents plan and practice with them often."

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The family is accepting donations (money, clothing etc.) on their fundraising Web site. Next week, funeral services will be held for Ntshialiag. Bostrom will be at the services and present Yang with a city recognition. The St. Paul Fire Department and the African American Leadership Council will also be present, a family member said Thursday.

The family recently posted a video of Ntshialiag playing with her younger sister Sunday about an hour before the fire occurred. It's posted below.