The Hanover Fire Department received the first alarm at 5:27 a.m., Hanover Fire Department Captain Mike Gilbert said in an interview with The Dartmouth. All fraternity members living in the building were immediately evacuated, and no one suffered any injuries, according to Roland Adams, Dartmouth's director of media relations.
The exact cause of the fire cannot be determined, according to Gilbert. The fire began in the wall between the second and third floors near a chimney and spread into the attic of the physical plant, Gilbert said. It is possible that heat radiating from a steam pipe inside the chimney ignited the material between the wall and the chimney, he said.
When the crew of first-responders determined the fire had extended into the attic, the firefighters called for reinforcements, according to a Hanover Fire Department press release. Fire departments from four other towns Lebanon and Lyme, N.H., and Hartford and Norwich, Vt. responded to the call, while the Thetford, Vt., fire department and Upper Valley Ambulance managed station coverage at the Hanover Fire Station.
Firefighters conducted an "extensive overhaul" to confirm all fires were extinguished, according to the press release. The second and third floors and attic were damaged by fire and smoke damage, the release said.
The entire physical plant suffered water damage from the sprinkler system, with several inches of water pooling in some parts of the building, according to Phi Delt President John Alekna '10.
Gilbert said that the fire likely burned for multiple hours before breaking out of the wall and causing the fire alarms to activate.
Because of the extensive damage to the building's interior due to the fire and sprinkler system, Gilbert estimated the building would not be habitable for the remainder of the school year.
Twenty-five members of Phi Delt were living in the house at the time of the fire and all have been temporarily relocated to College residence halls, Adams said.
"We were very fortunate that [the Office of] Residential Life was able to keep roommate pairs and triples together," acting Dean of the College Sylvia Spears said.
Although firefighters covered some of the students' belongings with tarp, most of their personal property was destroyed, Alekna said. Approximately half of the fraternity members lost their laptops, Alekna said.
The items destroyed in the fire will likely be covered by some of the students' parents' homeowners insurance, according to Spears.
The Office of the Dean of the College is taking care of the affected students' basic needs, Spears said, explaining that she met with Phi Delt members twice on Sunday.
Most of the Phi Delt members' textbooks and schoolwork were also destroyed, according to Alekna.
The Office of the Dean of the College is working with faculty in order to ensure that students affected by the fire do not suffer academically, Spears said. Personal and academic counseling will be offered to the students.
Several student groups are organizing support efforts for members of the fraternity. The Inter-Fraternity Council started a clothing drive on Sunday, and is donating $200 to Phi Delt for supplies, according to IFC president Zachary Gottlieb '10.
Alumni have contacted the IFC to send gift cards to the fraternity, Gottlieb said.
The Panhellenic Council also contributed funds to Phi Delt, Alekna said.
Student Body President Frances Vernon '10 said she informed Phi Delt members about the Laptop Voucher Program, which allows students to borrow a computer from Computer Sales and Service at no cost for three days. The program may be extended for the Phi Delt members, Vernon said.
"The response has been really overwhelming and we really appreciate it," Alekna said. "We all think we will be able to face this head-on and get the house back to the way it was."
Phi Delt has contacted its insurance carrier about the incident, according to Spears.
"The national fraternity, not just the brothers that are here, are already engaged in a conversation with our risk management people," Spears said. "We will work in support of the fraternity efforts."
The alumni corporation for the Dartmouth chapter of Phi Delt, which owns the house, will be coordinating the renovation, Alekna said.
Although Phi Delt members will be unable to enter the building, they plan to partner with other campus organizations to remain active socially, Alekna said.
"We will definitely be out there," he said.
