The following information, unless indicated otherwise, was obtained from
media sources and has not been verified for accuracy.  More information will
be contained in an upcoming issue of Campus Firewatch
(http:/www.campus-firewatch.com)

Fraternity Fire
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
December 9, 2000

A fire in the Sigma Nu fraternity was controlled by the activation of two
sprinklers.  According to an interview by Campus Firewatch with Fire Chief
Dan Jones, the occupant had discarded an ashtray into a plastic wastebasket
and then left the room.  The contents of the wastebasket were ignited, which
subsequently spread to adjacent combustibles.  Two sprinkler heads in the
room of origin operated, extinguishing the fire.

The occupants of the house were unaware that a fire had occurred, and
contacted the fire department because they believed a sprinkler head had
failed.  Upon investigation by the fire department the fire was discovered.

The sprinkler system had been connected to the water supply only two days
before the incident.  All fraternities are under a mandatory sprinkler
ordinance, and must have sprinkler systems installed by September, 2001.

Sigma Nu is immediately adjacent to the Phi Gamma Delta house, which was the
site of the fatal fire in 1996 that killed 5 students.


Fraternity Fire
University of Texas
Austin, TX
December 10, 2000

A fire caused $1.5 million in damage following a holiday party in the Sigma
Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  It was caused when someone discarded a cigarette
onto shredded paper that had been strewn on the floor to simulate snow.  The
fraternity system had agreed to undergo fire department inspections prior to
such gatherings, but the Austin Fire Department had not been contacted prior
to this fire.

It was reported that the floor was covered with 18 inches of confetti.


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Ed Comeau
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