At approximately 3 a.m., cardboard boxes caught fire in the basement, which triggered the house's alarm and sprinkler system. The sprinklers extinguished the blaze, and Safety and Security, the Hanover Fire Department and Hanover Police responded to the alarm.
The house suspects arson because the cardboard boxes were soaked in a flammable liquid, suggesting premeditation, said Chi Gam president Nick Allen '14, who was not present at the scene.
The liquid is suspected to be paint thinner, but Allen said fraternity members are unsure. The fraternity is not involved with the ongoing investigation.
There was no major damage as a result of the fire, and only some makeshift furniture in the basement was damaged.
The fraternity plans to be more careful about keeping their house secure.
"We're just going to be more vigilant, change the door code, make sure windows are locked and just always keep an eye out," Allen said.
This is the third suspected arson at the fraternity's house in the past 14 years.
In November 2008, an unidentified perpetrator lit an empty Keystone Light box soaked in lighter fluid underneath a pong table in the basement, resulting in minimal damage. While police told The Dartmouth at the time that the fire was purposely started, no suspects or arrests were announced.
In December 1999, four members of Phi Delta Alpha fraternity broke into Chi Gam's house, used citronella oil to ignite a table and curtains and caused damage to the basement. Phi Delt took no internal actions against the members responsible, which contributed to its derecognition the following March.
Chi Gam has four evacuation fire drills each academic year, which is on par with most student housing, according to the College's 2012 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
In an email to the College, Safety and Security director Harry Kinne directed anyone with information to contact Hanover Police captain Frank Moran.
Kinne and Moran could not be reached for comment by press time.
