JOINT VILLAGE MEDIA RELEASE
Subject: Residential Structure Fire
Location: Chalet Court
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Contact: Fire Chief Neal Haemker
Phone: (708) 672-2727
Email: [email protected]
Crete, IL — At approximately 12:58 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Crete Fire Department, along with automatic aid partners, was dispatched to a reported structure fire on Chalet Court.
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.
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.
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.
