UPDATED Monday, September 22, 2008 --- 6:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Fire investigators still haven't nailed down the cause of a fire at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house in Madison.

City officials have given the fraternity permission to demolish the 8,000-square-foot house, which will happen after an insurance settlement is complete.

Fire investigators say they have all the scientific evidence that they're going to get but were hoping to get more information from people who witnessed the fire.

Madison Fire Department Captain Bradley Olson says it's been difficult to find people to interview.

The fire happened May 13, and Olson says many possible witnesses left town for the summer soon after the fire.

Olson says it isn't even clear if someone intentionally set the fire or if it was accidental.

Officials estimated the damage to the building and its contents at $750,000.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATE: Thursday, June 5, 2008 --- 10:10 a.m.

The City of Madison Police and Fire Investigation Unit is requesting help from the public with the ongoing investigation of the fire that destroyed the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity house.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The house was destroyed by fire on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:50 pm, with initial damage estimate at $750,000.

If you have any information on this fire, please call the City of Madison Fire Investigation Unit at 266-4488 or Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

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UPDATE Posted Friday, May 16 -- 5:10pm

The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter is the largest fraternity at the UW Madison. At the time of the fire, they had 104 members, but just one week earlier they had 105, but then one was suspended.

The investigation continues into the cause of a fire that destroyed the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on the UW Madison Campus early Tuesday morning.

"There's a lot of work to be done," said Madison Fire PIO Bernadette Galvez. "There's a long list of things that the investigator still has to do. As you can see it was a huge fire so the list is going to be long. It is going to take a while."

But, now there is another angle to pursue. On May 4, a week before the fire, a Sigma Phi Epsilon member was suspended for a year after a member of a sorority said she was assaulted by him. The fraternity did not tell authorities this information until Wednesday. Because they don't think it's connected it to the fire.

Added Galvez, "It does change things. It just adds another thing to the list."

Mike Miesen the fraternity chapter president released a statement saying the following, "The incident in question did not occur at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, nor did it occur in connection to any fraternity event. The disciplined member has never lived in the fraternity house. Until further information is provided by the Madison Fire Department, it is the position of the fraternity that the disciplinary action taken on May 4 is completely and entirely unrelated to the fire."

While investigators do not yet know what caused the blaze, arson has not been ruled out. Evidence still needs to be processed and numerous eye witnesses and fraternity members need to be interviewed before they can make a final determination.

The allegations of the assault will now be handled by the police officers already assigned to the fire. The fire department alerted them of the allegation when they found out.

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UPDATE Posted Thursday, May 15 -- 4:45pm

Sigma Phi Epsilon is already looking for a new home.
They took a tour of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house Thursday.
ZBT is planning to move to a new house this summer.
No decisions have been made.

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UPDATE Posted Thursday, May 15 --- 9:30am

Incident Report from Madison Police Department:

On Wednesday, around 6:42 p.m., Madison Police officers were called to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on Langdon Street for a report of a burglar inside the residence.

Members of the MPD were on the scene in less than one minute, and did see a man inside the campus area fraternity house. Officers ordered him to come out, and he tried to flee from them by going out of a side door. The suspect was found to be in possession of an iPod that smelled of smoke, and appeared to be water damaged.

He was arrested on a volley of tentative charges. The Sigma Phi Epsilon house suffered heavy fire damage earlier this week, and remains fenced off to the public.

Suspect:
Wilkie L. Johnson, age 43, No Permanent Address
Mr. Johnson was arrested and tentatively charged with Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property, Resisting an Officer, Obstructing an Officer, Unlawful Trespass, and a Probation Violation.

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UPDATE Posted May 13, 2008 -- 10:10pm

Officer Angie Dyhr was the officer who noticed the fire. She says she just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Langdon Street isn't even her assigned patrol area.

Dyhr says once she saw the flames she immediately thought back to the training she just underwent that taught her how to react in this type of emergency. She started banging on the door to get the student's attention was able to get all of them out of the house. As soon as the door opened she says black smoke came billowing out. From the looks of it she didn't think any of the students knew what was going on but is just thankful they all made it out alive.

"Of course it makes me feel great," says Dyhr. "I have my own children so I think of something like that happening to my own family and as I said how quick fires are. Before the house in an inferno, the inside is deadly. I'm just thankful that I just happened to be there."

The Madison Police Department has recognized Officer Dyhr's efforts by nominating her for their Life Saving Award. The award is given out to officers with outstanding achievements. An award committee then selects the winners each year. If selected Dyhr will be awarded next May.

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UPDATE Posted May 13, 2008 -- 3:40pm
By Zac Schultz

Madison: An overnight fire at a Langdon Street fraternity house has left 28 students homeless. The blaze was so powerful firefighters had to abandon the house.

The fire started around 11:30 pm. A Madison Police officer on patrol noticed a red glow coming from the back of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house and when she investigated she saw the fire.

She alerted the fraternity members, and they all got out safely. "Members went around, knocked on doors and made sure that everyone was evacuated," says Ryan Sugden, Vice President of the fraternity alumni board.

The fire was intense. "Those flames were like over three stories high. It's the biggest fire I've ever seen," says Dane Gottschall, a neighbor who witnessed the fire.

Firefighters went inside, but when the fire got into the attic they were pulled out. "The tones were sent out to tell all firefighters to get out because they noticed some structural weaknesses in the house," says Bernadette Galvez, a Madison Fire Dept. spokesperson.

Eventually the Fire Department called in a second alarm, and by the end they had 48 firefighters and 14 trucks at the scene- but they were just playing defense.

"The house, it's been reported, is a complete and total loss. Nothing will be salvaged from the home," says Sugden.

By daylight the damage has been estimated at nearly $750,000.

Fraternity member Patrick Kurkiewicz was heading home from the library just before midnight Monday, "I heard two cop cars whizzing by. I had no idea what was going on...I get a little closer and it's two firetrucks in front of my house."

He says most of the guys couldn't speak. "I'm still a little shocked."

A handful registered with the Red Cross Tuesday for emergency relief so they could get some of the basics.

Patrick was lucky, he still had his backpack, cell phone and wallet. "I'll go to St. Vincent de Paul's and find some clothes."

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals.

Sugden says they plan to rebuild right away.

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May 13, 2008 --- 3:10 PM UPDATE

From a press release by Dean of Students Lori Berquam:

The campus and Madison communities are coming together to respond to a fire early this morning (May 13) that destroyed the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, 237 Langdon St.

The house was quickly evacuated and no UW-Madison students were hurt, although several Madison firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze. There were 28 students living in the house.

Staff from the Offices of the Dean of Students responded to the fire scene and are working to arrange temporary housing for the students, as well as granting crisis loans and making contact with professors for accommodations on final exams and papers.

Many students lost their belongings in the fire, including laptops, books and notes.

Members of the chapter's alumni board and national chapter are also making temporary and summer housing arrangements and otherwise supporting their Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers, about a dozen of whom had planned to live in the house during the summer.

In addition to police and fire first responders, the American Red Cross Badger Chapter responded to the scene and has provided debit cards for food and clothing from its Disaster Relief Fund.

The University Book Store has offered to loan books to affected students, to temporarily replace those lost in the fire.

"This is a horrible event that comes at a very difficult time in the academic year for students," says Dean Lori Berquam. "We're truly thankful that there was no loss of life.

"I want to especially thank Madison Police officer Angie Dyhr for her exceptional vigilance, along with all of the firefighters of the Madison Fire Department, and everyone who has worked on behalf of our students," she adds.

Dyhr, on patrol on Langdon Street, saw flames coming from the back of the house and alerted residents, averting a potential catastrophe.

The cause of the fire is unknown. At this time, there is no reason to believe the fire is linked to a pending judicial investigation of the chapter.

There are numerous resources available to students who have been impacted by the fire:

For impacted students: If you lived in the Sigma Phi Epsilon house and need assistance with exams, crisis loans, housing, books or any other help, call the Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS) at (608) 263-5700 and ask for the Dean On Call.

Counseling: If you are interested in receiving counseling services related to this or any other situation, call Counseling and Consultation Services at (608) 265-5600.

To donate: If you are a community member interested in donating temporary housing, clothing or purchased food or goods, call ODOS at (608) 263-5700 and ask for the Dean On Call.

To make a contribution: Assist the American Red Cross Badger Chapter by contributing to its Disaster Relief Fund. Send donations to 4860 Sheboygan Ave., Madison, WI 53705-0905.

Also, contributions to the Dean of Students Crisis Fund are being accepted by calling ODOS at (608) 263-5700.

For parents: Parents of Sigma Phi Epsilon members can call ODOS at (608) 263-5700 and ask for the Dean On Call. For general information, visit the Parent Program Web site.

Fire safety information: ODOS has been engaged in a semester-long campaign about fire safety and smoke detector batteries.

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UPDATE Posted Tuesday, May 13 --- 10:41am
Posted Tuesday, May 13 --- 12:05am

NOTE: Watch report on the video player to the right of this story

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Fire has consumed a fraternity house at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, leaving about two dozen residents without their belongings in the midst of final exams.

Hundreds of students gathered early Tuesday morning as the Sigma Phi Epsilon three-story house went up in flames.

A police officer on patrol noticed the fire shortly before midnight and reported it. Fire officials say the blaze was brought under control about 2:30 a.m.

All fraternity members who lived in the house were accounted for.

Fraternity alumni board member Ryan Sugden says a semester's worth of notes and books were among the students' belongings lost in the fire. He says over half have finals Tuesday.

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Press Release from Madison Police Department:

On Monday night, Madison Police Officer Angie Dyhr was on routine patrol when she spotted smoke coming from a Langdon Street fraternity house.

Officer Dyhr advised a dispatcher that Madison Fire should been sent to the location. She got out of her police car and saw flames engulfing the back of the residence.

Officer Dyhr found the exterior door to the Sigma Phi Epsilon house locked, and started pounding on it until a resident answered.

Dyhr saw there was smoke coming from the back of the house, and she began yelling for residents to get out.

Officer Dyhr, with the help of fraternity members, was able to make sure all were evacuated. This took place in just a couple of crucial minutes prior to the arrival of Madison Fire.

After the first evacuation, there was concern the fire could spread, and Officer Dyhr assisted in notifying and evacuating residents of neighboring buildings.

For her quick actions Officer Dyhr will be nominated for a Madison Police Department Life Saving Award.

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Press Release from Madison Fire Department:

A City of Madison Police Officer was on patrol when she noticed flames from the back of 237 Langdon Street, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity House. She went to investigate, and found the back of the house on fire. She then evacuated the residence and informed 911 Communications Center of the fire. Everyone escaped without injury.

City of Madison Fire Crews were dispatched to the Sig Ep House around 11:41 pm. Engine 1, Engine 4, Ladder 1, Ladder 6, Car 31, Engine 3-RIT (Rapid Intervention Team), Rescue 1, Investigator 86 and PIO 79 were originally called to the structure fire.

Fire crews conducted a primary and secondary search, to ensure that everyone evacuated the house. Crews battled the fire, which was shooting 20 feet into the air. A second alarm was called at 11:54 pm, which dispatched more fire vehicles; Engine 7, Ladder 8, Rescue 6, Engine 9, Fire 8, Fire 10, Fire 1, Fire 4, Fire 78, Rescue 9 and Squad 3. A total of 14 fire vehicles and 48 personnel were on the scene.

The fire extended throughout the building and their was a threat of a building collapse, so the alert tones sounded to warn the firefighters who were fighting the fire inside to immediately evacuate the building. Once everyone evacuated, they attacked the fire defensively. The Ladder raised their aerial in order to use the master stream, which puts out 1000 pounds per minute. Several handlines were also used to surround the structure to extinguish the blaze.

25 occupants were all accounted for. The fire was extinguished at 2:28 am.

Three firefighters were injured during the fire. Two were transported to UW Hospital and one to Meriter Hospital. The injuries consists of a minor burn, dehydration and a muscle strain.

Estimated fire damage is $750,000. Firefighters were putting out spot fires, which were found inside the structure and under the roof line.

The fire is under investigation.

Red Cross was called to the scene to help residents in need. Madison Metro also helped keep residents warm.

Dean of Students Lori Berquam was also on the scene to assist the students.

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Press Release from the Red Cross:

The local American Red Cross Badger Chapter was called early this morning to assist 25 residents of a fraternity at 237 Langdon Street, Madison, which was destroyed by fire.

Persons affected by the fire are urged to meet with disaster relief workers at a Red Cross service center that will be open at the UW Memorial Union later this morning, Tuesday, May 13, from 9:00 a.m. – noon.

Red Cross workers were at the scene of the fire at 1:00 a.m. and are at this time assessing the immediate emergency needs of those affected. They are working with University of Wisconsin officals to assure that the residents have housing tonight, ether in university facilities or a hotel. The Red Cross will not be opening a shelter.

All residents have been accounted for. Red Cross workers will be meeting with them tomorrow to determine their individual needs which may include temporary lodging, food, clothing, personal and household supplies, and counseling.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on financial contributions to provide direct relief and to maintain a trained corps of local volunteer responders. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free.

To help support Red Cross relief efforts for this and other local disasters, financial contributions can be made to the local American Red Cross Badger Chapter, 4860 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, WI 53705 or www.arcbadger.org.

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The Madison Fire Department is investigating a massive fire at a fraternity house near the UW-Madison campus.

The fire broke out around 11:30 Monday night.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Langdon Street is a total loss.

Authorities say a police officer on patrol noticed a glow at the back of the house, went to investigate and then discovered the fire.

Everyone in the house made it out safely. The University, the Red Cross and the fraternity are helping the 25 students who are displaced.

At one point firefighters had to evacuate because of safety concerns. Three firefighters were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause is still under investigation.

Sigma Phi Epsilon, or "Sig Ep" has been in the news recently. The frat has recently been under investigation by the university over allegations of hazing.