Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Alex Cabrero Reporting Members of an Ogden family are wondering why someone would try to burn their house down.
"I just can't believe there's people capable of doing something like this."
Only the father was home at the time the house started burning. He was able to get out, but he's now at the University of Utah Medical Center, suffering from second and third degree burns to almost half his body.
Ben Alvord could be in the hospital for another month getting over his injuries.
His home is another matter. If the family members want to stay in their neighborhood, they'll have to re-build.
Saturdays are meant for doing a little work around the house. Robert Coleman has been at it all morning long. Except this isn't his home.
Robert Coleman: "That's what neighbors do. It's just what you do."
Yesterday his neighbor's house started burning. Now he's doing anything he can to help out his buddy, especially since his buddy is in the hospital with second and third degree burns.
Robert Coleman: "This is devastating."
Even more devastating-- Ogden investigators believe someone intentionally started the fire.
Dave Owens: "That is heart wrenching, no doubt about that."
All this, and for the family, it's really only the second worse thing to happen to them.
Tami Alvord/ Ben's Wife: "It's too much all at the same time. We're going through some tough times right now."
While Tami Alvord is caring for her husband Ben at the burn unit, she's also spending time at Primary Children's Medical Center where their two-year-old son Connor is recovering from a liver transplant.
Tami Alvord: "I'm glad I have a lot of support from my family. But it's tough because, I don't know... I don't think it's completely set in yet."
She hasn't even seen her house yet.
Robert Coleman: "We did salvage some wedding pictures." "It'll be something that the family, the parents, will be able to have that didn't get destroyed."
Alvord is a carpenter and framer, relying on his hands to get work done. With his injuries, that's now in question.
The family has set up a fund at any America First Credit Union if you'd like to help.
Also, if you have any information on who may have started the fire, Ogden police would like you to call them.
