ATHENS - State Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine says a fire that gutted portions of a University of Georgia fraternity house Saturday morning but caused no injuries was intentionally set.
Authorities say the fire injured none of the 31 students who were sleeping in the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity house.
Oxendine says the suspected arsonist used materials found in the kitchen to set several fires that spread to the dining room.
A $10-thousand reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information should call the arson hotline at 800-282-5804. Oxendine says callers may choose to remain anonymous, Oxendine said.
He says a firewall protected the bedrooms and living quarters.
State fire marshals, U-G-A police and county firefighters are investigating the fire.
U-G-A spokesman Tom Jackson said temporary housing is being arranged for the 31 residents of the house.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Saturday
April 27th, 2024
12:21AM
