NIU Frat House Condemned After Suspected Arson
DEKALB, Ill. (CBS/WBBM) -- A Northern Illinois University Fraternity house has been condemned, as fire officials look into a possible arson.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Lisa Fielding reports, the DeKalb Fire Department was investigating a possible arson at the Pi Kappa Alpha house, at 1020 Hillcrest Dr. in DeKalb, when they decided to condemn the building because of code violations.
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Property maintenance and fire protection issues were among the violations.
Both police and fire and fire officials came to the fraternity house on Sunday, after a report of burned items.
The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reported the fire broke out in the early morning hours, and was out before authorities arrived.
DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison said the building is not occupied now, and was not expected to be occupied again until August.
Harrison says he is concerned the fire was not an accident, and he says fire officials suspect tampering went on in the fire protection system for the building.
The university says officials will contact the fraternity to investigate the problems at the building further, the Daily Chronicle reported.
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