Fire Damages Frat House

More than a dozen Northern Illinois University students have been displaced after their fraternity house was heavily damaged in a fire.

DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison said a fire broke out early Wednesday at the Omega Delta house.  About 13 people were inside, including one who jumped out a second story window.

The cause of the fire is unknown but it started on a sofa on the front porch of the house, according to a news release from the fire department.

"I looked out my window and saw all the smoke and flames coming from the (southeast second-floor) window," said Mike Lanzo, who lives in a fraternity house next door.  Lanzo said he and his girlfriend, Kirsten Kniss, called 911 and went  outside.

Harrison said one person was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

NIU is working to find alternate housing for the fraternity's residents.