Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Albert Jenkins |
| Agency | Peoria Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 41 to 45 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 6/15/1903 |
| Date of Death | 2/5/1948 |
| Cause of Death | Stress/Overexertion |
| Nature of Death | Heart attack |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations , Hose operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Peoria |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 2/5/1948 8:30 |
| Incident Location | Public assembly |
| Incident Attribute | Fires |
Incident Summary
On February 5, 1948, Fireman Albert Jenkins, 44, suffered an apparent heart attack while he helped extinguish a fire at the Jefferson Hotel. Jenkins was an eight-year veteran of the Peoria Fire Department.
At 8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 5, 1948, Box Alarm 49 signaled a fire at the Jefferson Hotel at 235 South Jefferson Street. Firemen quickly controlled the blaze, which had originated in the kitchen ventilating shaft after built-up grease overheated. Although there was extensive damage to the kitchen, very few of the guests were bothered by the fire and several even continued eating their breakfast in the dining room while the firemen fought the flames in the kitchen. At 9:50 a.m., after the blaze had been extinguished, the men began gathering their apparatus and equipment. Along with two other firemen, hoseman Jenkins helped drag a hoseline from the alley entrance. Jenkins called to his coworkers, complaining of severe chest pain. Before they could help him, he collapsed to the pavement, unconscious. He was rushed to St. Francis Hospital where he died in the emergency room.
Jenkins was survived by his wife, Irene, and two stepchildren, Violet Dutton and George Dutton, Jr. On Saturday, February 7, 1948, an honor guard along with several Peoria Fire Department members filled the Wilton Memorial Chapel to honor their fallen brother.
Summary by Marty Baker and Doug Brignall, Peoria Fire Department
Firefighter and Incident Images
