Just one of the tragedies suffered by farmer Zheng Chuanying would be enough to test the will of most families.

First, on June 25, his daughter accidently knocked over a gasoline can and was rushed to hospital with her mother suffering from hydrocarbon poisoning.

Later that night, he sent his 17-year-old son to collect the family savings from the basement of their house in Ningling county, Shangqiu city, Central China's Henan province.

As he searched for the money to pay the hospital bills, Zheng's son snapped a lighter and set the family house on fire, suffering severe burns.

The next day his wife died. His daughter remains in intensive care and his son is now in hospital requiring surgery for his burns.

Most of the 185,500 yuan ($29,700) in banknotes that the family had saved for years were destroyed in the blaze.

On July 2, Zheng is pictured counting and searching through the charred notes at the bank.

Cai Yu'e, director of the department of orthopedic surgery at the Shangqiu No 1 People's Hospital, said the son needs around 100,000 yuan to undergo a series of surgeries.

On July 2, Zheng is pictured counting and searching through the charred notes at the bank. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Zheng shows the charred notes in Shangqiu, July 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Zheng shows the charred notes at a bank in Shangqiu, July 2,2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]