Officials Investigate Fire at Ind. Fraternity House

Feb. 11--Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire at Phi Kappa Psi Sunday morning, but the origin of the blaze is not considered suspicious, according to Indiana University police.

The Bloomington Fire Department was called to 1200 N. Jordan Ave. at 10:17 a.m. because of smoke coming from the roof of the fraternity house. The fire had burned through the roof's exterior and had spread into the attic when crews arrived. Holes were cut into the roof to gain access to the fire as well as to vent the building. Hot spots in the drywall were also stripped away and doused with water.

An evacuation was in progress and fire alarms were sounding at the fraternity when firefighters arrived, but multiple residents remained in the house as firefighters cleared each room, searching through a light haze. One ladder truck and three engines were present at the scene as well as rescue personnel.

No injuries were reported. Crews didn't leave the area until 12:49 p.m., while Jordan Avenue was shut off to traffic from Linglebach Lane to 17th Street for about an hour as trucks parked in the roadway.

Occupants of the fraternity house were not allowed to stay in the building overnight Sunday into today because of holes in the roof and the fact that utilities were shut off at the house.

Bloomington fire officials would not comment as of Sunday night on what might have caused the fire.

Copyright 2013 - Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind.