Early Saturday morning, March 6th, two incidents occurred at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house which resulted in the house being closed by the university fire marshal and the chapter’s operations being suspended by the fraternity’s national office. Two individuals have been charged with felony counts. One individual’s fraternity membership has been suspended. Here’s what lead up to the foregoing:
Fraternity member Sean P. Dunn, 19, allegedly set fire to a friend who was wrapped in toilet paper and was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree wanton endangerment and tampering with physical evidence. The friend suffered minor scorching of his lower pants leg. Mr. Dunn received first degree burns on his hands which required no treatment. Mr. Dunn has been charged with arson and wanton endangerment. He was released to a family member, after his arrest, according to court records.
When the friend was engulfed in flames up to his shoulders he dropped to the floor and rolled about extinguishing the burning toilet paper but catching the floor on fire. Mr. Dunn immediately tried to stomp out the fire. Smoke produced by the blaze triggered the alarm system which summoned fire and police officials to the scene.
Upon arriving at the scene, university police conducted a sweep of the house to insure everyone had evacuated. In doing so they came upon Joseph Henry McKinley III, 20, lying on a couch and pretending to be asleep in one of the rooms. McKinley ignored the officers' request to go to the lobby of the fraternity house. McKinley suddenly said "f--- you" and began to swing his fist toward officers. One officer trying to apprehend McKinley was struck in the face, according to court records. McKinley was arrested and charged with third-degree assault for allegedly hitting a UK police officer and resisting arrest. He paid 10 percent of a $5,200 bond and was released from jail.
Both Dunn & McKinley have plead not-guilty in Fayette County District Court.
Although the fire damage was limited to a small area of flooring, multiple fire violations found in the house resulted in its closing. The university fire marshal said doorways were covered with blankets, and residents had rigged tent-like structures on beds using blankets, which could delay activation of the building's sprinkler system and hamper people getting out safely. Also, many candles were found during an inspection after the fire. Some 40+ fraternity members have relocated. The weekend incident is the latest in a series of troubles the fraternity and some of its members have had in recent years.
Additional details maybe found at:
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1...ents_Container
http://kykernel.com/2010/03/08/fire-...-of-sae-house/
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1...raternity.html