Lara Gilpin paused. Choked up by the reality that one of her students didn’t make it to school on Monday.

“It’s one of those worst nightmares that you don’t ever want to live,” said Ms. Gilpin, principal at Spring Garden Middle School.

Four St. Joseph residents died in an early morning blaze Monday. Among the victims was a seventh-grader at the South Side school.

The others were a 59-year-old woman and two infants, according to fire inspector Jason Ziph. Officials said the fire was caused by a space heater located on the first floor of a two-story duplex at 2326 S. 10th St.

Losing a home and possessions to a fire is difficult at best. Losing a life is indescribable.

“Unfortunately, we’ve gone through it several times,” said Cindy Crouse, coordinator of guidance for the St. Joseph School District.

The district has crisis plans in place. Each building has a school counselor or social worker, and in some cases, both. In times like these, Ms. Crouse said the district sends additional staff to assist the regular counselors.

“We had a plan in place and it’s being activated,” she said Monday. “It’s been going on since school started.”

The school district acted quickly and came prepared. After a quick briefing to staff and the students, personnel opened their arms to anyone in need.

“It’s a difficult time for the kids and our staff,” she said. “They’re like my kids.”

Ms. Crouse said that in addition to a calling tree, there is a list of what to say and what not to say.

“You have to be very sensitive with the students who have the same schedule (as the victim),” she said. “We place a counselor in that room and follow that schedule. Students are allowed to grieve and allowed to talk about it.”

Ms. Gilpin said the school is taking it one day at a time.

“We’re just going to try to continue the school day as normal as possible,” she said.

Ms. Crouse said that staff really encourage students to stay at school during rough times and be surrounded by friends.

“That’s the best way to grieve,” she said.

Even those set out to protect and serve need a little help.

Chaplain Floyd Ferguson, who is also a firefighter, was on the scene to offer chaplain services and counseling to firefighters who worked the fatal fire. He has critical incident training and works with firefighters who are dealing with stress and grieving.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.