CLEMSON, S.C. --
Following the beach house fire that killed seven college students, the Clemson University fire chief is reminding students to protect themselves from fire danger.
A recent study cited in USA Today said that the risk of fire in college housing is greater than in housing used in the general population.
Clemson Fire Chief William Daniel said, "In the last four years we've had quite a few major apartment complex and residential fires in our community here in Clemson."
Daniel said college students need to be conscious of the risk of fire.
"The tragedies at Ocean Isle reinforces that they need to be aware of their surroundings and take responsibility for their safety," Daniel said.
An unattended candle started a fire at the University Ridge Apartments in February 2004. About 200 Clemson students lived in the off-campus apartment complex. No one was hurt or killed in that fire.
University Ridge was rebuilt and now has a sprinkler system throughout the apartments and the decks.
Daniel said it's important for everyone to know what safety features their home has.
"We push for sprinklers," he said. "A sprinkler head in a room is going to protect 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether in a dorm, an apartment, or a condo, the push is for sprinkler systems in single-family homes."
A National Fire Protection Association report cites an increase in college housing fires, with 3,300 in 2005 -- up from 1,800 in 1998. From 2002 to 2005, there were 39 deaths and 400 injuries in dorms and fraternity and sorority houses due to fires.
"When you're in a house with lots of other folks -- apartment building, condo -- your actions are responsible for the safety of everyone in that building," Daniel said.
He said, "Smoke detectors help when you are awake or if you can be awakened in the middle of the night. They really weren't designed for someone impaired either by alcohol or just in a student environment where they're studying 24 to 36 hours with no sleep."
