Fire damages Sigma Chi activity center

An activity center for the Sigma Chi fraternity caught fire in the early morning hours Thursday.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the building at 1134 N. Sprigg St. at 4:07 a.m. to find smoke billowing from the metal structure.

Crews got the fire under control in about 15 minutes, but the building structure and furniture were severely damaged. No one had been in the building at the time, and there were no injuries reported, though the fraternity had hosted a Halloween party earlier that evening.

The fire caused about $50,000 worth of damage to the building.

The fire department called in off-duty firefighters and assistance from Scott City and Jackson fire departments to help cover the city.

Firefighters are continuing to investigate what caused the fire.

For more details, check back at semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.