Sigma Chi fire deemed accidental

n AAFD officials say candles used in basement room are cause of Thursday's fire

By Dave Enders

For the Daily

The fire that damaged part of the Sigma Chi fraternity Thursday night has been ruled accidental by Ann Arbor Fire Department officials.

Ann Arbor Fire Chief George Markus said the basement fire caused about $20,000 in damage to the building. The fire was contained to a basement storage room, but smoke damage reached the second and third floors of the building. The fire caused no structural damage to the house.

The house, located at 1437 Washtenaw Ave., in which Sigma Chi members are living during renovations to their own building, was formerly occupied by the now-disbanded Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Sigma Chi members were cleaning a storage room Thursday evening shortly before the fire ignited, Intrafraternity Council officials stated. Sigma Chi President Mike Zezima said Thursday the basement room contained no electrical lighting and candles were used to illuminate the room.

Ann Arbor Fire Marshall Scott Rayburn said the fire has been ruled accidental and no criminal charges will be filed in the case. There will be no further investigation into the cause of the fire, Rayburn added.

Fraternity members were able to return to the house Thursday night, following inspection by AAFD officials, said interim Dean of Students Frank Cianciola.

But "it may take a couple of weeks to get through the cleaning of the house due to the smoke," Cianciola said.

AAFD officials returned to the Sigma Chi house Friday night to educate fraternity members about fire safety, Rayburn said.

Members of Sigma Chi could not be reached for comment.

09-20-99