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House fire claims Imler resident

Imler woman pulled from home succumbs to injuries

By Colette Costlow 2 min read

IMLER -- A woman who was pulled from her burning home Wednesday afternoon later died from her injuries at Conemaugh Nason Hospital, according to the Blair County Coroner's Office.

Resident Carrie Lightner, 56, was home alone when the fire broke out at 11748 William Penn Road, Imler, across from Claysburg Bible Church. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Neighbor Donna Long said she heard what sounded like gunfire before she realized the house was on fire.

"After I heard the sirens, I saw (the house) was engulfed," she said.

When Claysburg Volunteer Fire Chief Dustin Caldwell arrived about 1:30 p.m., he noticed heavy smoke coming from the windows and at the back of the one-story home.

Firefighters found a woman near the side door. Emergency services treated and transported her to Conemaugh Nason, where she was pronounced dead at about 3:30 p.m.

Another neighbor said Lightner's boyfriend was working out of the region during the fire. He will most likely be displaced, Caldwell said, mentioning that Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services was on site.

Caldwell said the back of the residence -- where he believed the laundry room was -- sustained heavy fire and smoke damage but he was unsure if the home will be a total loss.

The fire marshal was called to investigate the cause.

Local fire companies were already on the scene when neighbor Eric Finnegan, who lives across the street from the engulfed home, arrived. He said the structure was "all smoke."

Fire departments also responding were Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Company, Freedom Township Volunteer Fire Company, Friendship Fire Company, Imler Area Volunteer Fire Company, Southern Cove Volunteer Fire Company and Alum Bank Community Fire Company Auxiliary.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

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