By Karen Haave

The Crete-Monee School community is mourning the loss of three young students who perished in a late-night house fire on March 25.

The fire is a back-to-back tragedy for the village, still in shock over the shootings of a family two days before in unincorporated Crete Township.

Crete fire, police and school officials confirmed the girls, one in high school and two in Monee Elementary, were found in the charred remains of their Chalet Court home with their grandfather, Walter Palmer, 71.

The identities of the girls, all minors, were not given.

Officials said they lived with their grandfather, who had been caring for them since the death of their mother.

In a press release from the village, Police Chief Scott Pieritz said firefighters were called to the house at 12:58 a.m. on Wednesday.

“The first arriving suppression units were on scene within nine minutes of dispatch and encountered a one-story residential structure heavily involved in fire. Due to the extent of the fire, a Full Still Alarm was requested to ensure adequate personnel and resources,” he said in the release.

“Fire crews initiated an aggressive interior fire attack while simultaneously attempting to conduct a primary search of the residence. However, rapidly deteriorating conditions, including heavy fire involvement and a partial roof collapse, necessitated the withdrawal of personnel and a transition to a defensive strategy. The fire was brought under control within approximately 40 minutes.

“Once conditions allowed, crews re-entered the structure to conduct a search. During that search, four occupants were located inside the residence and were pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, the MABAS Division 27/24 Fire Investigation Team, the Crete Police Department, and the Will County Coroner’s Office.

In a statement to Crete-Monee parents, School Superintendent Kara Coglianese said, “I am writing with heartbreaking news. Last night, a house fire took the lives of three of our students, including two elementary students at Monee Elementary and one high school student at Crete-Monee High School.

“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.

“Beginning today, we are increasing support at all of our schools. Counselors, social workers, and other support staff will be available for students who need to talk, take a break, or receive additional help.

“If your child or someone in your home is in immediate distress or needs urgent help,” she continued, “please call or text 988 (Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.

“We will continue to communicate as we are able to do so, including sharing information about available support and opportunities for our community to come together to care for one another. In the meantime, please join us in keeping the victims and their loved ones in our thoughts.”

Chief Pieritz noted that “numerous agencies provided assistance/mutual aid and station coverage to ensure continued emergency response capabilities within the community during the incident.”

“Assisting agencies included Crete Township Fire Protection District, Steger Fire Department, South Chicago Heights Fire Department, University Park Fire Department, Beecher Fire Protection District, Monee Fire Protection District, Steger Estates Fire Protection District, Sauk Village Fire Department, Matteson Fire Department, Richton Park Fire Department, Frankfort Fire Protection District, the Flossmoor Fire Department, Crete Police Department, Crete Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and Laraway Communication Center (LCC).

No other information is available at this time, pending the investigation.

Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.