University of Virginia Library

Electrical Blaze Damages Fraternity House

By JIM MASSEY

Kappa Alpha House Gutted

Fire Attributed To Electrical Overload

Fire broke out last week in the Kappa
Alpha Fraternity house on Rugby Road
when electrical circuits were overloaded in
the third floor room of Andy Anderson
and Pete Gantsoudes, both second year
students in the College.

Mssrs. Anderson and Gantsoudes'
room and personal belongings were
destroyed by the fire. Smoke and water damage
was also reported in other parts of the House.

Speaking for the Kappa Alpha Fraternity at
600 Rugby Road, Teddy Chandler, a second
year college student, stated that the lights went
out on the second floor at approximately 9
p.m.

According to Mr. Chandler, Steve
Williamson, another second year college
student, had the telephone operator on the line
for a long distance call. Within seconds the
operator had contacted the Charlottesville Fire
Department.

Julian Taliaferre, Superintendent of the
Charlottesville Fire Department reported two
engines and one truck company responded with
a total of 34 firemen, Mr. Taliaferre stated, "Our
records show that we were notified of the blaze
at 9:04 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 9:07
p.m. We try to get there as fast as we can."

Mr. Chandler reported that damage is
covered by the House Insurance policy. Mr.
Anderson was on a road trip to Hollins College
during the blaze, and could not be reached for
comment upon his return.

Has the fire damaged the morale at Kappa
Alpha? Mr. Chandler stated, "We are looking
forward to a good rush, I think everybody has
heard about the Kappa Alpha House."