Sigma Phi Epsilon looks to students for relief

The fire at Sigma Phi Epsilon's "back house" may be extinguished, but the damage it has caused is still burning.

The nine students that lived in the house located on Summit Street have lost everything and even though the house has been turned back over to the fraternity, according to Chief Doug Branch, "the house is a total loss."

The "back house" caught fire around 6:20 a.m. on Friday due to a faulty electrical outlet located in the front of the house.

Thirteen students were in the house at the time it caught fire and were able to escape through windows and doors, according to Branch.

"The situation was handled very well," Branch said. "There was one injury and the student was treated and transported to the hospital and later released."

Now that the fire is out, the residents of the house are looking to ECU students to help get their lives back to normal.

Yesterday, the ECU Greek System and alumni of Sigma Phi Epsilon opened an account to help the nine victims of the fire, called the "Sigma Phi Epsilon Fire Relief Fund."

Students interested in donating can drop off a donation at the ECU Greek office in Mendenhall Student Center or deposit money directly into the account at any BB&T location.

"This fund is about helping the nine men who were the victims of a fire that destroyed nearly everything they have at ECU," said Interfraternity Council president, Patrick Sebastian. "They had all of their clothes, school materials and computers destroyed in the fire. The best thing we can do for them is to help them rebuild their lives here at ECU by helping replace all of their possessions."

The Greek system intends to split all donations nine ways once the account is closed.

"We are grateful for the way that the ECU Community and local community have helped us so far," said Sigma Phi Epsilon President, Ryan Harris. "Our immediate focus is to help the nine brothers affected by the fire."

For more information about the account, contact the Greek office at 328-4706 or Patrick Sebastian at 919-818-5234 or by e-mail at pds0921@ecu.edu.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.