Evidence Points to Arson in Fraternity House Fire
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by Paul E. Carter
(Photos by Paul E. Carter)
www.nealink.com
Fire Marshal Leonard Jadrich examines the charred remains of an ASU fraternity house Monday.
Investigators say arson is to blame for an early morning fire Monday that destroyed the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on the Arkansas State University campus.
Jonesboro Fire Marshal Captain Leonard Jadrich said it is definitely an arson case. "On my initial inspection I found an accelerate trail leading from the north end of the structure to the middle of the building," the fire marshal said. Jadrich added that burn patterns in the middle of the two-story house were consistent with the use of a liquid accelerate. Investigators from the Jonesboro Police Department removed some evidence from the scene late Monday morning.
The flames broke out around 1 a.m. Monday in the vacant residential structure at 105 Olympic Drive. The fire was discovered by an ASU police officer on routine patrol.
The first firemen on the scene found heavy smoke pouring from the 16,000 square-foot structure. Captain Alan Dunn said five engine companies, two ladder trucks, the special operations unit and reserve firemen fought the fire for close to three hours before bringing the blaze under control. "We were on defense for the first two hours," Dunn said in reference to fighting the blaze from the outside of the structure. Firemen directed streams of water from the ladder trucks, deck pumps and manned hoses in their attempts to douse the flames which at times leaped 80 feet into the air. Flames burst thru the south roof of the structure approximately one hour after the blaze was reported. Shortly thereafter a large portion of the south wall collapsed. The entire south half of the two story structure was consumed by the flames.
Jonesboro Asst. Fire Chief Butch Herring said the fire was the largest fire the department has fought this year. "We're very lucky this building is isolated on the campus and not near any other structures," Herring said. The fraternity house is located at the intersection on Olympic Drive and Aggie Road on the east side of the campus.
Jadrich confirmed that the electricity and natural gas services to the building had been disconnected prior to the fire. City Water and Light records indicate the electricity was disconnected one month ago. The house has been vacant since the fraternity's charter was pulled by the university last fall after a hazing incident. Roger Lee, Dean of Student Affairs at ASU, said the fraternity's charter was suspended. "The charter was suspended by the university at the end of last fall's semester for four years," Lee said.
Dr. Rick Stripling, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, said the house, built in 1992, belonged to the Sigma Phi Epsilon National Chapter. "The house belongs to the national chapter but the ground it sets on belongs to the university," Stripling said.
Two Jonesboro firefighters spray the remains of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house Monday.
Sigma Phi Epsilon National Office Director of Communication Scott Thompson said the national office was actively pursuing a new occupant. "We were pursing options with other entities on the campus in hopes that someone could occupy the building," Thompson said.
University Police Detective Randy Martin said the building has been vandalized numerous times since it was vacated. Stripling said the doors and windows were boarded up for security reasons.
Dunn said one fireman was injured fighting the blaze. "Firefighter Greg Simpson was treated at the scene by Patient Transfer personnel after he injured his knee on a nail," Dunn said.
Firemen remained on the scene throughout the morning Monday hosing down hot spots in the remains