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Amanda Podgorny | Northern Star
Firefighters discuss the damge a fire caused to the Omega Delta fraternity house Wednesday morning. The fire caused an estimated $300,000 worth of damage.
Frat house fire results in $300,000 in damages, cause still undetermined
Last updated on 05/06/2009 at 7:25 p.m.
Thirteen NIU students have been displaced after their fraternity house was heavily damaged in a fire.
DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison said a fire broke out at the Omega Delta house, 835 Greenbrier Road, before 6 a.m. Wednesday causing an estimated $300,000 in damages, according to a DeKalb Fire Department press release.
The release also said the fire originated on a front porch sofa, and the stated that cause of the fire is "undetermined but unable to rule out smoking materials."
“It was a multi-alarm fire. It required more resources than we have,” Harrison said.
Thirty-five firefighters were on the scene from DeKalb, Sycamore, Maple Park, Cortland and Genoa Fire Departments, while an additional Malta ambulance was also on the scene, the release said.
Two students were taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital. One student sustained injuries when they had jumped out of a second story window, while the other is being treated for possible smoke inhalation, said Melanie Magara, director of NIU Public Affairs.
Hospital supervisor Rachel Kranz said one of them was released, while the other was being treated for injuries. They declined to specify which student.
NIU and a number of organizations are helping the displaced students. Volunteers from the DeKalb chapter of the American Red Cross were at the scene by 7:30 a.m., said Rochelle Kripe, marketing coordinator for the Red Cross.
“We gave them comfort kits, money to purchases clothing and shoes, and we’re assisting three individuals with eyeglasses,” Kripe said.
Representatives from the Salvation Army also provided clothing vouchers for students, as they had fled the building in their pajamas.
Both Kripe and Magara acknowledged the efforts of the Division of Student Affairs for not only providing additional clothing for the students, but temporary room and board as well.
“What they need now is a place to live, temporary items and clothing, until the summer,” Magara said.
Currently, Magara said the university is helping the students assess what was lost in the fire. The students’ professors have also been notified to make accommodations for them regarding finals.
NIU Athletics provided clothing to the student as well. Six counselors from Counseling and Student Development Center were also there.
“The whole university responded really quickly,” Carmen Lucia, a predoctoral intern from the center. “We’re just a small part of it.”
Huskie Bus Lines 5, 3 and 3A have been rerouted for the time being, said a representative for Veolia Transportation.
The buses are unable to go on Greenbrier Road and Russel Road. Route 5 is being rerouted to Annie Glidden Road and Routes 3 and 3A is being rerouted to Normal Road.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Smoking on a couch on the front porch? Figures. Forgive me for not feeling bad for them. Typical sorority behavior.
No matter what the cause, accidents happen, not just to "Sorority Girls" but to anyon. No one deserves for something like this to happen.
First off its not a sorority... second these guys are the nicest fraternity on campus, and people were injured, you should feel sorry for them, they did not deserve any of it!
It's actually a fraternity. And even people not in fraternities smoke and fires occur. Who's to say it was a member of the organization's fault? Jumping to conclusions just shows how out of touch some people can be.
Typical Sorority? Dude your really ignorant. You would not know what this fraternity is like even if your life depended on it. Keep your heads up fellas all will be goOD.
Just because they are fraternity brothers doesn't mean they don't deserve sympathy. I live directly across from them and saw the fire. Some of these guys left the house with nothing but boxers on, Mr. Pierce. There is no excuse for your insensitivity.
Just because they are fraternity brothers doesn't mean they don't deserve sympathy. I live directly across from them and saw the fire. Some of these guys left the house with nothing but boxers on, Mr. Pierce. There is no excuse for your insen
Pierce ignorance thats all it is. Think about how lucky you are to have a home right now. OD's i'm praying for you guys, stay stronge, and God Bless!
There is not reason to scold them for smoking. They have just as much right to smoke as anyone else. It's not even a sure thing that it was because of smoking. These guys are great guys, a real refreshing thing compared to a number of people I've met on greek row, imo.
front porch? that house has no front porch. it has a concrete stoop and a living and dining room but NO FRONT PORCH. jeez bad reporting all around.
DOES NOT MATTER IF THIS WAS A SORORITY OR FRAT. HOUSE THIS EVENT IS CRAZY AND I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THEM BECAUSE NO ONE DESERVES THIS. SO MATT PIERCE SHUT UP AND GROW UP BECAUSE IF THIS WAS YOU, YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE 2B THERE 4U. HAVE YOU NOT SEEN THE PICTURES, NO ONE DESERVES THAT.
this house had an open door policy, the only locked doors were the bedroom ones. i remember often there'd be random people passed out on the couches friday morning. could this be arson?
That's pretty harsh Mr. Pierce.
Finals stress takes many forms. Is this the best way to assess how much we've learned? Were there any fire extinguishers in the house? Be careful who you live with folks!
Gotta love the reporting- "Frat House Fire" you just know they loved running this story. And how stupid do you have to be, Pierce and William, to comment on this being a sorority when FRAT is in the headline...
