Support offered to students displaced by fraternity fire

The campus and Madison communities are coming together to respond to a fire early this morning (May 13) that destroyed the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, 237 Langdon St.

The house was quickly evacuated and no UW–Madison students were hurt, although several Madison firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze. There were 28 students living in the house.

Staff from the Offices of the Dean of Students responded to the fire scene and are working to arrange temporary housing for the students, as well as granting crisis loans and making contact with professors for accommodations on final exams and papers.

Many students lost their belongings in the fire, including laptops, books and notes.

Members of the chapter’s alumni board and national chapter are also making temporary and summer housing arrangements and otherwise supporting their Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers, about a dozen of whom had planned to live in the house during the summer.

In addition to police and fire first responders, the American Red Cross Badger Chapter responded to the scene and has provided debit cards for food and clothing from its Disaster Relief Fund.

The University Book Store has offered to loan books to affected students, to temporarily replace those lost in the fire.

"This is a horrible event that comes at a very difficult time in the academic year for students," says Dean Lori Berquam. "We’re truly thankful that there was no loss of life.

"I want to especially thank Madison Police officer Angie Dyhr for her exceptional vigilance, along with all of the firefighters of the Madison Fire Department, and everyone who has worked on behalf of our students," she adds.

Dyhr, on patrol on Langdon Street, saw flames coming from the back of the house and alerted residents, averting a potential catastrophe.

The cause of the fire is unknown. At this time, there is no reason to believe the fire is linked to a pending judicial investigation of the chapter.

There are numerous resources available to students who have been impacted by the fire:

• For impacted students: If you lived in the Sigma Phi Epsilon house and need assistance with exams, crisis loans, housing, books or any other help, call the Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS) at (608) 263-5700 and ask for the Dean On Call.
• Counseling: If you are interested in receiving counseling services related to this or any other situation, call Counseling and Consultation Services at (608) 265-5600.
• To make a contribution: Assist the American Red Cross Badger Chapter by contributing to its Disaster Relief Fund. Send donations to 4860 Sheboygan Ave., Madison, WI 53705-0905.

Also, contributions to the Dean of Students Crisis Fund are being accepted by calling ODOS at (608) 263-5700.

• For parents: Parents of Sigma Phi Epsilon members can call ODOS at (608) 263-5700 and ask for the Dean On Call. For general information, visit the Parent Program Web site.
• Fire safety information: ODOS has been engaged in a semester-long campaign about fire safety and smoke detector batteries.

For detailed updates on the chapter, visit this Web site.