Credit: Meghan Thobe
On May 25 officials entered the charred remains of the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) house and, upon inspection, fire officials alleged that arson ignited the historical building. As students move back to Oxford and the 14 Fiji brothers who were living in the house during the summer find themselves displaced, there is no new information.
"I spoke with the investigators and there is no new information to be released at this time," John Detherage said, Chief of the Oxford Fire Department.
Outside of the house, officials posted a sign announcing the suspected arson advertising a reward of up to $5,000 for any information regarding the case. According to Detherage, this is the standard reward that the Ohio Fire Marshal starts with.
Until the fraternity's house can be reconstructed, Fiji members were forced to seek alternative housing. According to senior Fiji brother Ethan Kaplan, they found refuge in another vacant fraternity house.
"As our chapter begins preparations to rebuild our house on high street, our brothers will be living in the Sigma Chi house until construction on the property is completed," Kaplan said.
Construction has yet to begin but, according to Kaplan, it will take two years to complete.
The State Fire Marshal's Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau is encouraging anyone who may have any information pertaining to the fire to come forward.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Read More
How one professor and her classes are preserving Oxford’s Black history
By Sean Scott | March 20, 2024Jazma Sutton, an assistant professor of history, teaches The Black Midwest (HST 350Q) and Black Women in America (HST 450D) classes. In both courses, she has students working with the Smith Library of Regional History and Miami’s archives to document and preserve Black history in Oxford.
Miami faculty members recount Freedom Summer in new documentary
By Luke Macy | February 25, 2022After seven years of work, “Training for Freedom,” a documentary highlighting Oxford’s involvement in the Freedom Summer of 1964, premiered on PBS Western Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
“Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic”: History in the making
By Alice Momany | August 29, 2021In March 2020, Miami University’s archives launched “Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a collection focused on life during the COVID-19 pandemic.