3 children, 71-year-old man killed in Chicago-area house fire

3 children, 71-year-old man killed in Chicago-area house fire

Four people, including three local students, died in a house fire early Wednesday in Chicago's south suburbs.

CRETE, Ill. - A house fire early Wednesday morning in Chicago's south suburbs left a 71-year-old man and three children dead, officials said.

What we know:

Crete firefighters were called around 12:58 a.m. to Chalet Court. Crews arrived within nine minutes and found a one-story home engulfed in flames.

According to officials, firefighters began to extinguish the blaze from the inside while also trying to search the home. However, heavy fire and a partial roof collapse forced crews to pull back.

The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. Once it was safe to re-enter, crews searched the home and found four bodies inside.

The Crete-Monee School District confirmed that three of the victims were students — two from Monee Elementary School and one from Crete-Monee High School.

An adult victim was identified as Walter Palmer, 71, by the Will County Coroner's Office. The coroner said the three other victims were juveniles but did not identify them.

Neighbors say the 3 children lived there with their grandfather.

A source says the two youngest were near the locked window of a bedroom. The oldest was beside her grandfather, Palmer. They were found by the back patio door.

What they're saying:

Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese called the loss "heartbreaking" in a message to families and the community.

"This is a devastating time for our school community," Coglianese wrote. "We are all grieving together, and we will do everything we can to support our students, staff, and families in the days ahead."

Neighbors placed stuffed animals and balloons near the house. They say Walter Palmer was a loving caretaker of the girls.

A neighbor said, "He took care of those kids though, off to school, when they get out of school, he’d be waiting in the garage for them."

Chief Haemker said, "All I know is that the grandfather was the sole custody guardian of all three children."

What we don't know:

The coroner's office did not identify the three juvenile victims.

Fire investigators don’t think the fire is suspicious. They believe it was likely accidental. But the investigation is ongoing.

Investigators don’t know what the cause is but a neighbor’s doorbell camera captured video of what looked like an explosion.