A chilling call shattered the late-night quiet in London, Ontario: multiple people reported “on fire” at a fraternity house near Western University. Emergency crews raced to 925 Richmond Street just before midnight, responding to a frantic report of a structure fire and widespread injuries.
Five individuals were rushed to hospital with burn injuries, the severity ranging from concerning to critical. Paramedics confirmed one patient’s condition was life-threatening, a stark reality unfolding amidst the snow-covered streets.
The scene centered on the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house, a three-story building standing at the busy corner of Richmond and Cheapside. Despite the initial alarm, responders found no visible damage to the building’s exterior and no lingering scent of smoke by the following morning.
A disturbing tableau lay scattered across the lawn: red plastic cups and an empty tequila bottle amidst the snow. The remnants hinted at a gathering that had taken a terrifying turn, a stark contrast to the quiet aftermath.
Residents of the house remained tight-lipped, refusing to speak to the press. A veil of silence descended, obscuring the events that had unfolded within those walls.
Western University acknowledged the incident, expressing concern for its students and pledging support. However, the university deferred all questions regarding the investigation to the London Police Service.
Initial emergency dispatch recordings revealed the harrowing nature of the first reports. Dispatchers relayed urgent updates: “Multiple people possibly burned. One was on fire.” The urgency in their voices painted a picture of immediate chaos.
Police arrived to find everyone already outside the house, several individuals visibly burned. Firefighters quickly determined the blaze was extinguished, pinpointing the source to ignited wrapping paper on a wall.
The injuries, though not caused by a widespread fire, were significant. Four victims suffered second-degree burns to their hands, legs, and one to the face, necessitating the dispatch of four ambulances to the scene.
The investigation now rests with the London Police Service, seeking to unravel the sequence of events that led to this shocking incident and determine how a simple piece of wrapping paper could result in such devastating injuries.
