The group lost most of the contents of the house in the blaze, including the fraternity paddle and photos of every pledge class that has ever been through the fraternity. Henson said they were able to save the group’s charter and a few items of sentimental value. Roughly 25 fire department personnel, including off-duty Murray Fire Department firefighters and members of the Calloway County Fire and Rescue, responded to the call to 1401 Stadium View Dr., at 7:19 p.m. Officials were on the scene until 9:46 p.m., according to a report issued by MFD. The fire appears to have started in the western portion of the building and spread to the front. The 27-year-old building was engulfed in flames when the fire department arrived on the scene.
Foul play is not suspected, fire officials reported. The building was completed in 1978 with the help of Dr. Hal E. Houston, a former member and active supporter of the fraternity, who established the Pi Kappa Alpha Housing Corporation with a group of Pike alums. Earlier this year, the building was named the Dr. Hal E. Houston Lodge. In 1988, additional rooms and a deck were added to the building.
Pi Kappa Alpha was the first fraternity at Murray State University to go national. Until March 1, 1958, the group was known as Tau Sigma Tau. Interim housing remains undetermined, according to Neil McMillion, the group’s advisor. A meeting with the fraternity’s housing corporation is expected to take place later this week to determine the future of the facility. The building had only one apartment that could house three fraternity members.
To read the entire article, pick up a copy of Monday's Murray Ledger & Times.