71-year-old man, 3 children found dead after Crete house fire: Will County officials

CRETE, Ill. (WLS) -- Four people were found dead after a massive house fire in the far south suburbs early Wednesday morning, Crete officials said.

Crete fire crews responded just before 1 a.m. to a reported fire in the 100-block of Chalet court.

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When they arrived, they found a one-story home ablaze.

Fire crews from several agencies worked to put the fire out while trying to search the home, but, due to the conditions, including a partial roof collapse, had to begin a defensive strategy, officials said.

The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes, officials said.

Once conditions allowed, fire crews entered the home and found four people dead.

The Will County Coroner's Office said Walter Palmer, 71, of Crete was one of the deceased.

The three others were children, also of Crete. The coroner's office did not immediately identify them.

The Crete fire chief said two of the victims were found in a front bedroom and the man and a teenager were found in a back bedroom.

Relatives said Palmer and his three granddaughters were killed.

He took care and custody of the girls after their mother died, they said.

"He was very invested in his grandchildren. They'd come outside, and he'd watch. It is a tragic loss for our neighborhood in general," neighbor Elisa Jackson said. "He was such a wonderful neighbor. He'd do anything to help you. He'd help shovel the driveway in the snow and to watch him with his granddaughters. They had such a beautiful relationship."

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office. The Will County Coroner's Office and Crete police are also investigating.

Crete-Monee School District 201-U said in a social media post that two students from Monee Elementary and one Crete-Monee High School student were killed in the fire.

The school district said it is increasing support at its schools.

"This is a devastating time for our school community. Out of respect for the family's privacy and because circumstances are still being confirmed, we cannot share additional details at this time. We are all grieving together, and we will do everything we can to support our students, staff, and families in the days ahead," the district said.

Chopper 7 was over the home where the fire took place about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The home was destroyed, and there is a large emergency response.

Neighbors said Palmer was a friendly neighbor.

"Totally consumed, a very hot fire, flames were shooting up. And the backyard was on fire," neighbor Kathy Krebs said.

A neighbor's surveillance video shows huge flames above the home at 12:44 a.m.

"It was just really, really bad. There's no way they could have survived that fire, and he was a really good man," neighbor Teresa Jackson-Sandovol said.

"It's terrible; it's awful. I can't believe they are dead. I wish they had gotten out alive," neighbor Nancy Kelly said.

CJ Clayton lives next-door to the home and called 911 as soon as she smelled smoke and saw the flames next-door.

"They went through a lot as a family. And your heart just it, just is heavy. When you hear of something like this and especially when you see it, I mean, it's like I said, it's the thing that you see on TV and you hear about. But you don't expect it to be in your backyard, so to speak," Clayton said.