Story Created:
Nov 12, 2007
Story Updated:
Nov 12, 2007
Raw Video: 10 Displaced After Frat House Fire
Sean O'Flaherty
Tom Murray
Katie DeLong
WHITEWATER - A fire in a fraternity house at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has left ten young men without a place to live.
Click on the links under related content to see a press release from the Whitewater Police Department and a press release from UW-Whitewater.
The flames at the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) two-story, brick home on Main Street broke out about 2:45 a.m. Monday.
Click on the slideshow link to see pictures from the scene.
"I smelled smoke," Junior Josh Drew told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. "I felt something burning my throat. I woke up. It was real hot. There was smoke everywhere."
Click on the link under related content to see an interview with Josh Drew.
Drew said some faulty electronics in his bedroom may be to blame for starting the blaze. Drew frantically tried to wake his fraternity brothers, smashing windows and cutting his hand while tearing through the house.
"I knew I was the first out because I didn't see anyone making any noise," Drew recounted. "So I knew I had to go shake everyone up."
Alarms inside the house helped to startle others out of their sleep. Firefighters were on the scene shortly after emergency calls were made.
"I saw people running outside toward the front of [the house]," a female caller told the police dispatcher. "There's a bunch of flames coming out the side of it."
One of the student residents also called police after he escaped. "It's on fire. It's full of smoke. We can't get in there."
Click on the link under related content to listen to the 911 calls.
"These are all of my best friends in my entire life," said Jaymes Masik, who was sleeping in the TKE house when the fire broke out. "I didn't want to see anyone hurt. That was our number one priority and concern."
Click on the link under related content to see an interview with Jaymes Masik.
All five men asleep inside escaped. The frat house mascot, Buddy the dog, also got out unharmed.
"I'm thankful. Buddy is a heck of a dog," Masik said.
Firefighters say the flames started on the first floor then spread to the second floor and the attic. The damage is concentrated to the back half of the building.
Click on the link under related content to see an interview with firefighter Scott Oldenburg.
In addition to Drew and Masik, the other residents who were home at time and escaped the flames were, Jared Stange, Korey Smith and Jeff Peeters.
Tisa Mason, UW-Whitewater Dean of Students, was on the scene arranging housing for the displaced students. Ten young men live at the TKE home and most initially planned to stay with friends. Five residents were not home at the time of the fire.
Whitewater Police Chief Jim Coan said the cause appears to be accidental. The fire marshall is investigating.
In 1996, another fire extensively damaged the same TKE house. That fire was ruled accidental.
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