Investigators Probing Weekend WSU Fires

Fri., Feb. 25, 2000

From Staff Reports

Combustibles left too close to a baseboard heater likely caused the fire that damaged several student apartments Monday, according to the Pullman Fire Department.

The fire at 430 NE Maiden Lane was the second fire on College Hill over the President’s Day three-day weekend. A fire heavily damaged the Sigma Nu fraternity early Saturday.

In a press release issued this week, Fire Capt. Richard Dragoo said the fraternity house was inspected in October 1999 and passed inspection. The fire alarm system was in working order and notified the Fire Department of the fire. A call was also received by 911 operators from a nearby shopping center at about the same time as the alarm. A damage estimate is pending an inspection by an insurance adjuster this week.

The police investigation will continue for several more days as officers attempt to contact additional members of the fraternity, though Sgt. Chris Tennant said the person who was tied up with duct tape told him the incident was “no big deal.”

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