A tragic house fire has claimed the life of retired BLET member Walter Palmer and his three granddaughters, ages 16, 10 and 8. Palmer was their primary caregiver after their mother died of cancer. The 71-year-old Palmer was a retired member of BLET Division 582 in Chicago, and he is survived by his son, Jason Palmer, a CSX locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 100 in Danville, Ill.
Firefighters responded to the blaze in Crete, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, just after 1:00 a.m. on March 25. According to media reports, fire crews tried to search the home while battling heavy flames and smoke inside the home, but they were forced to stop their search after a partial roof collapse.
The fire remains under investigation and officials don’t think the fire is suspicious. They believe it was likely accidental. While the cause of the fire is not known, this tragedy is a sobering reminder of the importance of home fire safety. The American Red Cross recommends checking smoke detectors monthly, replacing batteries when you change your clocks every six months, practicing an emergency escape plan with children, and having a working fire extinguisher on the premises. More information can be found on the American Red Cross website.
Division 582 Local Chairman Phillip Glapion and President Ivan Barnes are organizing efforts to assist Brother Jason and the Palmer family in the aftermath of this tragedy.