This is the last thing you expect when you make a run to any store, you park your car and head inside to do your shopping, and, your car starts on fire. Scary enough to think about, and it happened in the Walmart parking lot in Fridley this morning.

Even scarier, the fire spread to the van parked next to the car. The van had 2 children, ages 6 and 9 inside, who were unable to escape, and suffered smoke inhalation and burns. They were taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, where one is listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries and the other in serious condition.

Arson and crime investigators are processing the scene and the vehicles will be taken to the Fridley Police Department where they will try to determine how the fire started. No foul play is suspected, however, investigators are speaking to the mother of the victims left in the minivan. Allegedly she left them alone for 45 minutes to an hour while shopping.

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