sad news
 

Statement from Dean Of Students regarding Columbus fire

ATHENS, Ohio -- Based on information provided by the authorities in Columbus, OH, it is our understanding that three Ohio University and two Ohio State University students perished in a house fire on 17th Street in Columbus in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 13. It is also our understanding that the families of the deceased students have been notified of this tragedy. We are unable to confirm names or provide any additional information about the deceased until the Franklin County Coroner releases their identities.

This is obviously a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have died.

Our Student Affairs staff is in close contact with the police, families and OSU officials, and we will provide updated information to the campus community immediately as soon as it is available.

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At least two of the Ohio Univeristy students who died in this fire were members of Alpha Gamma Delta here at OU. No one is sure if the third killed was a member, but people are saying that all three women that were killed were Alpha Gams.

Oh that is such a tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and friends of these students.

How sad! I will pray for them, their families and their sisters.

Today's edition of the Columbus Dispatch mentioned that the two girls were members of AGD, but didn't have an ID for the third girl. My husband works with Christine Wilson's father (not Mr. Dennis as I thought earlier) so it's a sad day for us as well.

My thoughts are with the Wilson family and the other families and friends of those who died.

Christin

May our sisters unite in their grief. I pray for their families and friends, may they rest peacefully in chapter grand.

LIEP
Sarah

What a terrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and our sisters left behind.

May they find peace in Chapter Grand.

LIEP,
Maria

I have friends from high school who go to OSU and they knew the two OSU students who died. It's such an awful tragedy and I hope the families are doing ok!

Jess:(

My heart goes out to the families of those killed, and to their chapter members. I can't even imagine what they're going through.

Some information on the fire from today's O.U. Post:

Weekend fire kills 3 Ohio University at OSU

by Michelle Simakis
For The Post
michelle.simakis.1@ohiou.edu


Five college students were killed in an early morning fire near the Ohio State University campus that brought 11 fire engines and 100 firefighters to the scene.

Three Ohio University students and two OSU students were killed early yesterday morning in what fire and police officials are investigating as possible arson. The fire at 64 E. 17th Ave. began just as a 21st birthday party was ending.

The fire started at 4:05 a.m. near the front door of the house, said Mike Fultz, Columbus Fire Battalion chief.

The police have not released the victims’ names, said Brian Carney, Columbus homicide detective. The students’ families have received a preliminary notification.

“The coroner has a good idea who the students are, but wants to be completely sure of their identifications before he releases their names to the press,” he said.

Three others in the house were injured, said Kim Graham, spokesman for Ohio State University Medical Center.

Two of the injured — one of whom was an OU student — were treated and released. One remains in critical condition.

Dean of Students Terry Hogan was in Columbus yesterday trying to coordinate efforts with OSU officials to gather information about the fire.

“We will be reaching out to the students most directly affected and offering support to the families and those suffering from this loss in any way we can,” Hogan said.

Two firefighters also were treated and released for minor injuries at Grant Medical Center, said Peggy Bales, a nursing supervisor.

Columbus fire arson investigators and Columbus Police homicide officers are working together on the investigation and consider the fire suspicious, Fultz said.

OSU sophomore Zack Randol, one of the 13 students who lived in the house, said one of his neighbors called him at 4:35 a.m. and notified him of the fire.

“When I got there at about 4:45 a.m., the whole house was still ablaze,” he said.

Randol said 11 of the 13 roommates have been accounted for and are alive.

About 80 people were at the party that night but started to leave around 3:15 a.m., Police Sgt. Dana Norman told The Associated Press. Between 10 and 20 people were there when the fire broke out, he said.

Fultz said firefighters did not hear smoke detectors going off when they arrived.

“Students there said the smoke detectors were functioning, but one student said he ignored the detectors because they go off all the time and did not act until someone in the house confirmed there was a fire,” he said.

The fire was contained at 5:24 a.m., and both structures’ damages are estimated to be $250,000, he said.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. What a horrible tragedy.


LIEP,
Nicole

press release from Alpha Gam
 

Alpha Gamma Delta Mourns Loss of Three Collegiate Members
It is with great sadness that Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity announces that three members of its Zeta Chapter at Ohio University were killed in a tragic fire on Sunday, April 13, at a private residence close to the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio. The members were:
Erin DeMarco, sophomore, Canton, Ohio
Andrea Dennis, sophomore, Cincinnati, Ohio
Christine Wilson, sophomore, Dublin, Ohio

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these young women,” said Suzanne Spicer, International President of Alpha Gamma Delta. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with their sisters of Zeta Chapter. We sincerely appreciate all of the support and assistance that Ohio University officials have provided and continue to provide to the women of our collegiate chapter.”

All three women lived in the Zeta Chapter house and were active participants in the chapter. Notes of condolence and cards may be sent to the chapter at:
Alpha Gamma Delta
Zeta Chapter
Ohio University
14 University Terrace
Athens, OH 45701

I read the story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer eariler at my job. my condolences to the family and friends. :(

I learned of this from a friend of mine who goes to OSU. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who perished.

My condolences go out to the family and friends.

:(

I just recieved an email from my aunt. i didn't realize it but Andrea Dennis was a friend of their families. My chapter is praying for Alpha Gam at this time, and I know every chapter on our campus is doing the same. I think they had received flowers and card from every GLO on our campus by 1:00 this afternoon. Taking the flowers and card to their house was one of the hardest things i've ever had to do.