OBITUARY - EUGENE W. and ELLEN JENKINS

Submitted by: Jan Redelsperger, jansperger at gmail dot com

Source: "Longview Daily News," Longview, Cowlitz Co., Washington, Wednesday,
November 24, 1948

2	Burned In Pleasant Hill  House Blaze
E.W. Jenkins, Wife In Critical Condition As a Result of Fire

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. (Gene) Jenkins of Pleasant Hill suffered serious burns in a
fire that swept the interior of their home, located on the Pacific Highway, at
approximately 8:30 o’clock this morning.  Pleasant Hill is north of Kelso.

Jenkins, 50 was reported in a critical condition at the St. John's Hospital with
3rd degree burns on his face, hands, chest, back and arms.

Mrs. Jenkins, 49, was taken to the Cowlitz General Hospital and was reported in
a grave condition from severe burns on her body.  She had been ill previous to
the fire, which contributed to the seriousness of her condition.

Neighbors were responsible for the rescue of the couple from their home after
fire broke out around the chimney and flashed through the house, igniting
wallpaper with explosive speed.

Mrs. Jenkins, who had been ill for some time had just arisen when the fire
occurred.  Jenkins already was up and was about the house.  He pushed his wife
from a kitchen window into the hands of the neighbors as the flames raced
through the house.  He was then pulled through the window himself.

The blaze was noticed by Mrs. Harold Lock, a neighbor, who called a crew of
carpenters working across the highway.  As they ran to the burning house, Mrs.
Lock telephoned Castle Rock for assistance.

The couple was taken to the Lock home, wrapped in blankets, and rushed to the
hospitals by the Hubbard ambulance after Dr. R. J. Larur had checked their
condition.

Residents of the area formed a bucket brigade and manned garden hoses to
extinguish the fire after the occupants were rescued.  The flames swept through
the inside of the house, but did not damage the exterior to any extent, it was
said.

The carpenters assisting in the rescue effort were employed by Martin Qualle of
Kelso.  The group included  Qualle, Elmer Orcutt of Longview, Kenneth Labbs and
Sam Holt of Kelso.  Others assisting were Ted Lock, Carl Woods, and Mrs. And
Mrs. Ernest Johnson, all of the Pleasant Hill area.

The Jenkins are longtime residents of this community, formerly living in Kelso.
They have a son, Robert, who is with the army air force at McChord Air Force
base.