Pana woman dies in fire

January 17, 2024 31

PANA — An early morning fire Tuesday in Pana has resulted in the death of a woman, according to Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert-Winans.

A press release from the Pana Fire Department reveals that fire crews were dispatched to 1 Cherokee St. in Pana at 12:27 a.m. Tuesday morning. The scene upon arrival was a single-story home and garage that were engulfed in flames. Two people were still inside the house when the call came in. When the crews arrived, one person was still inside the home.

“Firefighters advanced lines to the area where the victim was reported to be by family,” the department stated in the release. “Unable to locate the victim from a small window, Command called for entry to be made through the wall.

Firefighters removed a section of the outside wall while battling heavy smoke and fire along with below-zero temperatures and windy conditions. Crews were able to locate the victim and remove her from the structure. She was declared deceased at the scene.

Because of the home’s proximity outside the city limits and its water grid, a water shuttle had to be used as a water supply.

Calvert-Winans identified the woman as 51-year-old Christy L. Clutter. An autopsy was held Wednesday in Bloomington.

The other two occupants of the home were transported to hospitals in Springfield.

The source of the fire continues to be under investigation by the fire department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. However, it appears that one element was keeping the fire going.

“The gas meter on the structure had burned off, and the gas was feeding fire,” the release further stated. “Firefighters continued to fight the fire until Ameren Illinois arrived, dug up the service at the main, and shut it down.”

Pana Fire received mutual aid from fire departments in Tower Hill, Owaneco, Oconee, and Assumption. In addition to the Coroner’s Office, Echo Response, Assumption Ambulance, Pana Police Department, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Department would respond to the scene.

A crowdfunding campaign to help the Clutter family is below:

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