Spring Break
Fraternity suspects arson in house fire
By: Megan Keyho
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: News
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The police and fire departments have not determined the cause of the fire that started Dec. 23 in the living room of the house located on North Dowling Road.
"There has been no ruling as to the cause of the fire yet. They even brought down a fire marshal from Austin and some dogs to search for gas, alcohol and other things that might have caused the fire," said Tommy Wilkes, the president of Sigma Nu.
At the time, there was no one living in the house so no personal belongings were lost. The fraternity did lose some items such as couches, TVs and a tailgate tent.
A mail carrier called the fire department after seeing flames in the windows while delivering mail to the house.
"I was actually out of town with my family the day it happened," said Wilkes, a senior accounting major. "A reporter called me from KBTX and asked me for a comment on the fire at the Sigma Nu house and I had no idea what he was talking about."
Wilkes called a member of the fraternity who was still in town and asked him to stop by the house. When he got there, there were already police, fire trucks and an ambulance.
No signs of forced entry were found, but some suspicions arose from an incident in the fall when the house was vandalized. The investigation of that incident is ongoing.
"A neighbor did tell the sheriff that they saw a truck in front of the house on the afternoon of the fire, and it wasn't ours," Wilkes said. "They went inside the house and there were things misplaced like some of our ritual items, which only added to our suspicions."
Ryan Roller, a sophomore petroleum engineering major, said he was surprised to find out the house had burned down while everyone was gone.
"I felt horrible that the house where everyone in the fraternity shared so many memories was gone," he said. "Our house had been vandalized in the past by students who disliked fraternities, but arson is going way beyond what I thought any Aggie was capable of."
Two of the missing items, a composite (a formal arrangement of photographs of the fraternity members) and a trophy were reportedly seen in photographs on Facebook with unknown males. The pictures were submitted to the University, which is looking into the situation.
The fraternity did receive their composite back, but it was covered in graffiti.
"The fire could have been electrical, but I know we made sure to turn everything off and lock all the doors," Wilkes said.
The fraternity is having meetings on their land because the chapter room - that is separate from the house - was not damaged. They plan to move the meetings on-campus soon.
"It honestly did not really sink in until I saw the house for myself," said Kyle Aubuchon, a sophomore accounting major. "It was discouraging seeing the house and all the damage, especially since we were coming off such a strong fall rush and spring rush was just about to start.
"As far as the chapter as a whole, I think everyone brushed it off really well. I think most of us saw it as an extra incentive to start really pushing and doing everything we can to get the new house built."
They plan to demolish the remains left by the fire and rebuild as soon as possible. They hope to have the house ready by December, in time for spring rush.
"We're going to try and demolish everything we can. It's not something we really want to look at," Wilkes said. "It is a total loss, but we have the plans to build our new house on the same land."
Wilkes said they plan to continue with their usual events such as formals, crush parties and social events like Chilifest.
"At this stage, the fraternity as well as alumni are trying to raise enough money to receive a loan for construction on a new fraternity house," Roller said.
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