Joliet Burn Victim, 52, Dies After Kitchen Accident On Raynor Ave.

JOLIET, IL — For the second time in nearly 20 years, a Joliet resident has died after accidentally setting their clothes on fire inside their kitchen, according to Joliet Fire Chief Jeff Carey.

Joliet resident Sherri Lynn Puhl, 52, died Monday after being airlifted to the Loyola Medical Center in Maywood. Around 10 a.m. that same day, Puhl suffered burns on 90 percent of her body during a kitchen fire in the 1200 block of North Raynor Avenue, Carey said.

On Wednesday night, Carey told Joliet Patch the victim's house on Raynor Avenue was filled with smoke as Joliet firefighter/paramedics found her unconscious and still alive inside her house.

Carey said the fire happened in Puhl's kitchen.

"Her clothes caught on fire. Whatever she was wearing was very flammable. It sounds like she lit something on her stove and her clothes lit up," Carey told Patch.

Carey said there was no significant fire damage anywhere inside of the house. He said that Puhl's death is considered an accident. Carey also pointed out that Puhl was 52 at the time of her death. Monday's press release about the fire incorrectly listed her age as 41, he explained.

About 18 years ago, Carey said there was a woman who lived on Oakland Avenue who died in a similar accidental fire.

In that case, the woman was cooking on her stove and her robe caught on fire, causing her to suffer deadly burns. "You've got to be careful with loose clothing," Carey stressed.

On Wednesday, the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home on Black Road published an obituary for Puhl.

"Born and raised in Joliet, Sherri was a graduate of St. Francis Academy. Sherri had a love for all animals that led her to create her own business of grooming both dogs and cats. When she wasn’t caring for others pets, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Her son Weston was the love of her life. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her," her obituary noted.