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Team coverageA 15-year-old Ogden High School student died in a house fire, her only escape route out of the basement blocked by smoke and flames.
Firefighters say they did everything they could to reach Yvette Begay. The basement windows were too small, so they resorted to cutting a hole in the house with a chainsaw. But it was too late, the young woman had died.
When the house caught fire this morning, seven people managed to get out, but Yvette Begay was trapped. Her older brother lived through a nightmare this morning, watching his home burn, knowing his little sister was inside. Others were in shock.
Friends say the young woman's room was in the basement. She was unable to escape through the small, high basement window. Fire and smoke blocked the stairs.
Neighbor Leslie Alejandre said, "I opened the curtain, and I saw the flames gushing out."
Firefighters broke the window and put water in with a hose while they used a chainsaw to cut through the foundation, but it was too late.
"Our fire crews made an amazing attempt to get inside that fire, especially with reports someone might be in there. They risked a lot to get in there," Deputy Chief Chad Tucker said.
Witnesses told investigators they saw Begay at a basement window trying to get out. Then she collapsed. Crews found her body in the basement.
Emotions ran high as people comforted one another. Family members were visibly distraught. The victim's brother had to be held back by police officers as he tried to go back inside to rescue his little sister.
Her friends want people to know she was a good person.
Nichole Balero said, "She was a good friend. She was always there for us."
Family friend Jennifer Hillaker described her as an, "All-around good girl, willing to help anybody and do anything. If you asked her to do something, she would do it for you."
Another friend, Zackary Gomez, said, "I just pray to God that he'll take care of them. Take care of her family and take care of her. I hope she's OK, wherever she is."
"She was a really outgoing person. She was a pretty girl. She always like to laugh," Gomez said.
This afternoon, demolition on the house began. Firefighters were worried people would go inside and get hurt.
Firefighters estimate the window was 18 by 20 inches. If you build today, code requires basement windows to be a minimum of 24 inches by 36 inches. Also, the bottom window seal can be no higher than 44 inches off the ground. If it is, a permanent ladder or stair needs to be installed.
Deputy Fire Marshall Karlene Montenz said, "They need to check the new codes, make sure the window's big enough for the biggest person in the house or for a firefighter to get into."
Investigators don't know if the home had smoke detectors, and they're still looking into a cause, the death of 15-year-old Begay weighing heavily on their minds.
Another family member was treated for smoke inhalation. He helped leash the family dog, which was running around the yard, barking and growling in an apparent panic at firefighters.
Her friends tells us Begay was a student at Ogden High School. She lived in the house with her mother, sister, brother-in-law and the sister's five children. Firefighters say her mother and brother-in-law had left the house before the fire started.
The family is accepting donations at any Key Bank to the Yvette Begay Donation Fund.
