11-Year-Old Girl Killed In Central Utah House Fire

EAST CARBON CITY, Utah – Residents of a small central Utah town were in shock after an 11-year-old girl was killed in a house fire.

The fire engulfed the home in East Carbon, which is about 17 miles southeast of Price, Utah, just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday. 

“When we arrived the back half of the house was fully involved. We had a lot of black smoke,” said Nickole McCarty with the East Carbon Fire Department. 

Firefighters had no idea someone was inside the home. 

“When we got on scene, I was informed by the neighbors that they had witnessed the occupants leaving a couple of hours before the call. There was no car in the driveway,” said McCarty. 

Sorrow and shock in the small central Utah town of East Carbon where an 11yr old lost her life in a house fire. Hear from family and friends @KSL5TV at 6 pic.twitter.com/1UDrbUiqW0

— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) March 29, 2021

About 30 minutes later, McCarty said the mother pulled up screaming that her daughter was inside. 

“It was heart-stopping to know that we had someone inside, especially knowing it was a child,” she said.

Holly Fox was found on the floor of her bedroom. By the time firefighters got to her and pulled her out, it was too late. She was the only one inside the home. 

A makeshift memorial now sits in front of her home, and the community is in shock over what happened. 

“She was just the sweetest little girl anybody could ask for,” said a very tearful Maddie LaBorde, who played with Fox all the time. “She was a sweet, kind, funny person.” 

Fox loved animals so much that she ran her own business walking dogs — donating some of her money to the animal shelter.

“Everyone knew Holly. Everybody loved Holly.  She was the sweetest child,” said neighbor Susan LaBorde. “You couldn’t help but love her.” 

Many in the community wondered why she was left alone. 

“You should never have to rescue or recover an 11-year-old baby. It’s senseless. Somebody needs to be held responsible for this,” said neighbor Amy Manchester. “If we don’t fight for Holly, nobody will.” 

Fox’s aunt, who lives out of state, was devastated by what happened. She agreed there were a lot of unanswered questions. 

“I would like answers myself as to where everybody was and why she was left alone,” Barbara Fox told KSL. 

For now, she said it’s time to focus on the legacy this young girl left behind. 

“Holly was amazing and smart. She was the rose in the garden,” she said. “There is a little bit of anger because I want to know what happened, but I know Holly wouldn’t want anger from any of us. She doesn’t want anyone to point fingers.” 

The Utah State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating this case.  A spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and they do not have a cause on the fire.

There is no law against leaving an 11-year-old home alone in Utah.

A memorial is planned for Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Sunnyside Park in East Carbon to honor and remember Holly Fox.