A festive Christmas party at a London fraternity house descended into chaos when a man allegedly poured rubbing alcohol onto an open flame, leaving six people injured. The incident unfolded on December 2nd at the Pi Kappa Alpha house on Richmond Street, shattering the holiday spirit and triggering a police investigation.
Five women, one suffering critical burns, were rushed to the hospital following the blaze. A man received on-site treatment for his injuries as flames quickly spread, fueled by the highly flammable liquid. The scene was one of immediate panic and urgent medical response.
Bryson James Donald, 20, later turned himself in to police and now faces charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Court documents detail the allegation that he intentionally poured isopropyl alcohol – the key component of rubbing alcohol – onto the existing fire, directly causing the injuries.
Donald, who is not a resident of the fraternity, was released on bail after a $2,000 pledge – $1,000 from himself and $1,000 from his father – guaranteeing his adherence to strict conditions. These conditions confine him to his home and prohibit any alcohol consumption while away from it.
The court order also prevents Donald from contacting those injured in the incident, as well as other specified individuals. He is further barred from possessing weapons or flammable materials and is forbidden from returning to the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house while the case proceeds.
The party was a joint event hosted by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Fire officials confirmed that wrapping paper and an accelerant were factors in the fire’s rapid spread, though details remain limited due to the ongoing investigation.
An outpouring of support for the injured women, all members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, has materialized in the form of an online fundraiser, which has already amassed $56,000. The community rallied quickly to provide financial assistance during their recovery.
In the aftermath, investigators revisited the Richmond Street property, and the Greek letters identifying the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity were removed from the building’s exterior. A notice posted on the door indicated the landlord would be entering the premises.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of previous legal action involving the same fraternity house. A $1.25-million lawsuit was filed last month alleging injuries sustained by a woman at an overcrowded party two years prior, where excessive alcohol consumption was reportedly a factor. The lawsuit remains unaddressed by the defendants.
Donald is scheduled to return to court on January 20th, where the legal proceedings will continue. The case promises to shed further light on the events of that December night and the consequences of a reckless act that irrevocably altered the lives of those involved.
