Peoria Coroner Confirms Woman's Death After High-Rise Apartment Fire
Lynn E. Hinkley, 70, was pronounced dead at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center following a fire on the 11th floor of the B'nai B'rith Apartments in Peoria early Sunday morning. At least one other person was hospitalized.
PEORIA, Ill. — A 70-year-old woman died after a fire broke out early Sunday morning in a high-rise apartment building in Peoria, the Peoria County coroner confirmed.
Lynn E. Hinkley, 70, was transported to OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center following the fire, which began on the 11th floor of the B'nai B'rith Apartments at 215 West Sam J. Stone Avenue. The building provides affordable housing for seniors.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Hinkley was unresponsive, not breathing, and had no pulse when she arrived at the hospital. She was pronounced dead at 6:59 a.m.
The fire call came in at approximately 6:10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Battalion Chief Josh Martin said at least one other person was taken to the hospital. Crews searched the 10th and 11 floors to locate residents who needed to evacuate the building.
Harwood said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of Hinkley's death. A fire department investigator is working to determine the cause of the blaze.
Martin said the building sustained an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 in damage.