RICHLAND CO., Ill. - Multiple fire departments and rescue groups responding to a rural residential fire late Friday night did their level best to get the elderly resident to safety, but unfortunately, she later succumbed to severe injuries in the form of burns.
The residential structure fire was called in at 10:38 p.m. It was reported that 4952 E. Countryside Lane, Olney (which is actually closer to the village of Calhoun than it is Olney) was on fire; departments been arriving at 10:46 and included Olney Fire Department, West Salem Fire Department, and Claremont-Bonpas Fire Department, as well as Richland Memorial Ambulance Service and the Richland County Sheriff's Department.
OFD reported that the fire was in the living area of the residence and was extinguished quickly. Karen Funk, 74, was removed from the residence and transported to Richland Memorial Hospital.
She was subsequently taken to a burn unit in Springfield with burns over 90 percent of her body. She died of her injuries, however.
The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.