Officials: Faulty outlet caused NC fraternity fire

GREENVILLE -- Officials say a faulty electrical outlet caused the fire last week that gutted a fraternity house annex at East Carolina University.

The Daily Reflector of Greenville reported Monday that Greenville Fire and Rescue officials determined the outlets were near the front of the house, which sits behind Sigma Phi Epsilon's
main house in Greenville.

The two-story home caught fire early Friday morning. All 13 students in the house escaped, but they lost all of their possessions. At least two cars were badly damaged.

Officials say fire alarms hard-wired into the university and city safety systems alerted students and emergency responders. The house didn't have sprinklers.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)