4 people, including 3 students, killed in Chicago-area house fire

CRETE, Ill. - A house fire early Wednesday morning in Chicago's south suburbs left four people dead, including three local students, 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.

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."

What we don't know:

Officials have not released the identities of the victims.

The cause of the fire is still being determined.