From "The Daily Mississippian" newspaper online:
An early morning fire at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house left three Ole Miss students dead.
The names of the dead have not been officially released.
About 4:30 a.m. Friday morning, a fire started on the southwest side of the fraternity house in the living quarters area and spread throughout the house, authorities believe.
University Police were the first to arrive on the scene and arrived just seconds after the fire alarm sounded. Oxford Fire Department firefighters arrived minutes after UPD officers to find the building engulfed in smoke.
Members of Chi Psi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which neighbor the ATO house, were evacuated from their houses before 6 a.m.
About 60 firefighters fought the blaze for about 2 hours and then were able to begin searching the house for casualties.
During the time of the fire, about 21 people were supposed to be inside the house. Seventeen of the students and one house mother were located by 7 a.m., when the three were known to be missing.
Aside from the three casualties, there were no injuries caused by the fire.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
Jeff Alford, vice chancellor for university relations, confirmed the three deaths for reporters on the scene.
“It is a terrible loss. This is the fourth day of classes. College students are normally very excited and exhilarated this time of year,” Alford said. “This is a horrible thing.”
The 17 displaced ATO members have been offered housing at Mays Hall. The university is also going to pay for the students’ books. Members of other fraternities have opened up their houses for the ATO members who have lost their housing.
Gordon Fellows, Associated Student Body president, will meet with university officials today at 2 p.m. to discuss the crisis.
“We’re just trying to make sure that they are comfortable and have a roof over their heads, and we hope their needs are met, whether it is prayer or counseling,” Fellows said. “The student body has suffered a great loss and our hearts and prayers are with ATO.”
A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Media and Press Relations conference room inside Johnson Commons.
All campus social events, like “Rumble in the Grove” have been canceled today. The flags on campus have been lowered to half mast. Classes, however, are not canceled.
The Counseling Center inside the V.B Harrison Health Center is open for students needing those services.