Fraternity house shut down over fire, safety issues

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By Morgan Witt

UK ordered Kappa Sigma members to evacuate their fraternity house Thursday due to unsafe living conditions, said UK’s assistant fire marshal.

The Hilltop Avenue house received an unannounced fire inspection around 4 p.m. by UK Assistant Fire Marshal Greg Williamson, which was initiated by a complaint about the house conditions, Williamson said.

“We went in to follow up on the complaint and make sure that the house was in a safe living condition and what we found was that it was not,” he said.

Williamson found multiple fire and life-safety violations; eight doors were not operating properly, candles were found in the house, furniture was in the stairway blocking exit access, bicycles were stored in the house potentially blocking exit access, windows were covered with flammable material and electrical wirewas exposed.

“Fixing these things are going to be a process, but hopefully with alumni support and compliance with the university, we will be back on campus next fall,” said the fraternity’s president, Roddy McCleary.

The 20 members of Kappa Sigma living in the house at the time had about seven hours to evacuate the house. They will be allowed to re-enter through 10 p.m. the rest of the semester to gather belongings.

“We do not want someone sleeping where their safety is compromised,” Williamson said.
Ben Crutcher, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services, said the displaced fraternity members were given the option of moving into a residence hall at the appropriate prorated daily rate.

None of the fraternity members have taken UK up on their offer, McCleary said. They will, instead, be staying with other members living off campus.

“Everyone’s focus is on finals and for this to happen it is unfortunate,” McCleary said.

The Provost’s Office has distributed a letter to the faculty members who have occupants of Kappa Sigma in their classes.

“You can be reassured that the fire marshal, knowing that these students were preparing for final exams, did not take this action without considerable consultation,” the letter said. “I applaud his action — we must place the safety of our students above all other concerns.”

McCleary said the fraternity members would continue to focus on their final exams and try to overcome this “bump in the road.”

“I have complete faith that we will be back on campus Fall 2009,” he said.