Nationwide — Walter Palmer, a 71-year-old grandfather, and his 3 granddaughters 16-year-old Kassidy James, 11-year-old Mary James, and 7-year-old Ivory James, died in a house fire early Wednesday in Crete, Illinois. The fire destroyed their home and left the family in shock.
Fire crews responded just before 1 a.m. toa report of a house fire in the 100-block of Chalet Court. When firefighters arrived, the home was already fully engulfed in flames. The victims were found in their bedrooms, indicating they were likely asleep when the fire broke out.
Kassidy had just celebrated her 16th birthday less than an hour before the fire. What began as a celebration quickly turned into a devastating loss for the family.
“How could they be done, you know, when we just saw them?” Charles, one of their paternal uncles, told ABC 7 Chicago.
Another uncle, Edward James, said the victims likely died from smoke inhalation and hoped they did not suffer in their final moments. He also recalled seeing the scene, saying, “Arrived on scene to see the house up in flames. They were carrying the bodies out by that time. That was the gut check moment, as they call it, where you knew it was real.”
The girls’ grandfather, Walter Palmer, had been raising the three girls after the death of their mother. The family said he played a central role in their lives and cared for them at home in Crete.
The Crete-Monee School District confirmed that the victims included two elementary students and one high school student. Officials said they are providing additional support to students and staff as the community grieves.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral costs. It has so far raised over $14,000.
Authorities, including the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Will County Coroner’s Office, and Crete police, are still investigating what caused the fire.