UT Girl Dies in Fire after FFs Believed Home Was Vacant

An 11-year-old girl who was left home alone died when the house caught fire early Sunday, and Utah firefighters didn't know she was still inside.

The fire broke out at about 1 a.m. at a house in East Carbon, a small town near Price, KSL-FM reports. Flames had already engulfed the home and smoke was billowing out the door when a volunteer firefighter arrived at the scene.

“The neighbors claimed that they saw the car leave around 10 p.m. that evening," East Carbon police Officer Chad Neilson told KSL. "And we know what cars they drive. Both of their cars were gone from the household."

Because of her age, firefighters believed the girl had been with the family and not in the house. With no one thought to be inside, the volunteer firefighters were prohibited from entering the burning house, so as not to risk injury, Neilson said.

Firefighters from nearby Wellington also responded to the call shortly after 2 a.m., the department stated in an online update. The girl's parents also arrived at the scene, and informed firefighters that their daughter was still inside.

“She was home alone at night, we don’t know why," Neilson told KSL.

Once crews were alerted that the girl was still inside, they quickly started a rescue operation. Heavy smoke and extreme heat from the fire, however, made officials believe it would be a recovery operation.

"Within minutes of entering the home through the bedroom window of the trapped occupant, the victim was located and removed and loaded into a waiting ambulance and transported," the Wellington Fire Department stated, adding that the girl's death was "an unimaginable tragedy." "Unfortunately everyone’s worst fears were confirmed and the victims injuries were unsurvivable."