A fire that gutted the historic Sigma Phi Episilon fraternity in Madison caused damage estimated at around $750,000. Investigators are hunting for the cause -- including the possibility of arson.

Lori Berquam is dean of students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She says students who fled from the building told her the blaze started outside at the back of the house Monday night just before midnight. The students reported they saw smoke and tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, but they quickly realized the flames were too much for a fire extinguisher.

She says they closed the door and evacuated the building, just as a police officer was pounding on the front door.

Fire officials credited a good smoke alarm system for helping the residents of the fraternity get out safely.

Fire Department spokesman Eric Dahl says evidence from the fire was sent to the state crime laboratory to be tested for accelerants that could indicate arson.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)