A sad update to that vehicle fire in the parking lot of the Fridley Walmart. The Anoka County Sheriffs Office confirms that the youngest of two sisters injured in the fire has died.
The girls, ages 6 and 9, were left in a minivan while their mother went into the Walmart to shop Tuesday morning. While she was in the store, the van parked next to the van the girls were in caught fire, and the flames spread to their vehicle.
Both girls suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. The 9-year old remains in critical condition.
The 70-year old man who owns the van where the fire originated is now charged with 2nd degree manslaughter. Authorities say Robert Hipolito of Long Beach, California had been using a cookstove in the Walmart parking lot before the fire, and then he put the stove into the rear of his van before it cooled off.
Authorties say the mother of the girls, identified as 33-year old Essie McKenzie, was in the store for at least 45 minutes.
