Sorority House Fire Causes $150K Damage
The Tri Sigma Sorority was supposed to have fire sprinklers installed in their residence by Jan. 1, 2014. Photo Credit: BoogaFrito via Compfight cc
WHITEWATER, Wis. – A fire at a sorority house near the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater campus has caused at one minor injury and at least $150,000 damage.
Fire officials received reports of the blaze at the Tri Sigma sorority house around 10:44 a.m. on March 14. Witnesses said that smoke and flames were visible inside the first floor of the home. No one was in the residence when firefighters arrived, GazetteXtra reports.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire; however, arson has been ruled out.
The Tri Sigma house, which houses about 25 women, did not have an operational sprinkler system in place, despite a state law that requires all Greek organization to have sprinkler systems installed by Jan. 1, 2014.
Sorority members told authorities that they were in the process of installing a sprinkler system, but the work had not been completed prior to the fire.
The university will provide housing for the displaced students.
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