Water damage, fire protection problems, and weed growing (Cornell Sigma Nu)

[exlurker]

Oh my:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/arti...marijuana+find

Excerpts:

Ithaca firefighters found a half-dozen marijuana plants Tuesday afternoon while investigating a broken water pipe at the Sigma Nu fraternity house . . . . Officers seized the plants and though they've identified a person of interest, they aren't releasing his name.

The Sigma Nu house manager called firefighters about the broken water pipe on the second floor . . . . Firefighters contacted the Ithaca Police when they found the plants.

Water was running through the ceiling . . . and in the process of assessing the damage, firefighters found the plants in a tin-foil lined closet, surrounded on all sides and angles by several high-intensity lights.

Whoever was growing the plants will likely be charged with unlawful growing of cannabis, a misdemeanor, police said. Fire officials said the numerous electrical cords used to power the lights created a fire hazard.

The leaking pipe was part of the sprinkler system and had to be shut down for repairs . . . . Additional life and safety issues such as a defective smoke and fire detection system and missing exit signs were found, so they posted the house . . . and told everyone to leave until the problems could be fixed, they added.

Bobby Quintal, a member of the fraternity's executive committee and last year's president, said the chapter housed members in local hotels and other campus fraternities donated space while contractors fixed the problems.

Friday evening, Ithaca Building Department officials said that the house would likely be safe and ready to be reoccupied later that night.

Quintal said he isn't living at the house and has no knowledge of the marijuana found there, but that marijuana possession violates Sigma Nu fraternity rules. When rules are violated, the national chapter investigates and might sanction the local chapter, the fraternity member or both, depending on the outcome of their investigation.