The St. John Fire Department responded to calls about a house fire on State Line Road sometime after 6:30 a.m., Crane said.
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Officials said a couple and their two teenage granddaughters were inside of the home during the time of the fire.
Firefighters believed the teens were trapped inside one bedroom. They were able to rescue one of the teens, Crane said.
Firefighters later found the second teen in a hallway; they believe she was attempting to escape at the time. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Crane.
The teens' grandfather told officials he woke up to a loud popping noise and discovered a wall of flames in reach of the home next to the garage. He said he then called 911.
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The grandmother and other granddaughter are in critical condition, officials said. They both suffered smoke inhalation and burns.
Both were taken to a local trauma center before they were transferred to a Chicago-area hospital, Crane said.
At least three firefighters were also treated for heat-related issues, authorities said.
Officials said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home.
"It's heartbreaking. I mean, it's unbelievable. It's bad when you hear somebody passed away," said neighbor Ed Stumpe.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.