For thousands of Kenyan R&B fans who grew up swaying to the soulful rhythms of Hearsay, the news from Minnesota strikes a particularly cruel chord. Alexander O'Neal, the legendary voice behind the timeless anthem "If You Were Here Tonight," is back in a hospital bed—this time, the victim of a devastating fire that consumed his home just hours after he had survived a life-threatening illness.

The 72-year-old singer and his wife, Cynthia O'Neal, were rushed to emergency care on Friday morning (Friday evening EAT) after a blaze tore through their apartment in Burnsville, Minnesota. The tragedy unfolds with a heartbreaking irony: O'Neal had been discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) only hours earlier, having spent two weeks fighting a rare bacterial pneumonia and an enlarged heart.

A Cruel Twist of Fate

According to reports from TMZ and local outlet KARE 11, the fire broke out around 1:30 AM local time (10:30 AM EAT). The situation turned critical almost instantly. Cynthia O'Neal recounted the terrifying moment she woke to find her husband frantically alerting her to the danger.

In a harrowing detail confirmed by family members, the fire appears to have started near the very equipment meant to keep the singer alive. Cynthia noted seeing a "bubble of fire" in the cord of Alexander's oxygen machine. In a desperate attempt to save their home, the weakened singer tried to stomp out the flames with his bare foot, suffering burns before the fire jumped to their mattress.

"We Have Nothing Left"

The escape was a physical struggle. Weakened by his fortnight on life support, O'Neal and his wife were forced to hobble down three flights of stairs as smoke filled the building. While Cynthia was treated and released relatively quickly, Alexander required more extensive medical attention due to smoke inhalation complicating his already fragile lung condition.

The physical toll is compounded by total material loss. The couple's apartment has been described as "demolished," with melted medication bottles serving as a grim testament to the heat's intensity. "The whole place is totally demolished. There was nothing left," Cynthia told reporters. "We may not have a toothbrush, but we have a car."

• The Timeline: O'Neal was discharged Thursday after 2 weeks in ICU.
• The Incident: Fire erupted approx. 1:30 AM Friday (Minnesota time).
• The Cause: Suspected electrical fault in oxygen equipment.
• The Status: Both survived; the apartment is a total loss.

For his Kenyan fanbase, O'Neal is more than just a distant celebrity; he is a staple of 'The quiet storm' radio segments and Sunday soul playlists. His hits like "Criticize" and "Saturday Love" defined an era of music that transcends borders. Now, the man who gave the world so much comfort through song is relying on the support of family as he faces a long road to recovery without a home to return to.

Despite the devastation, the family remains resilient. "We are so happy to be alive," Cynthia emphasized, focusing on their survival rather than their loss. "Our spirits remain good and we are moving forward."