As members of Beta Theta Pi fraternity threw snowballs and played with their dogs yesterday afternoon, Alpha Fire Company firefighters extinguished a small fire in their house.

"We've seen enough fires lately," said Alpha Fire Chief Steven Triebold. "Fortunately, this one was a minor incident."

The fire started when a porch light that was covered with snow was knocked over and, due to heat buildup, caught some boards on fire. Firefighters had to cut through the boards of the house at 220 N. Burrowes Road to extinguish the fire.

"The brothers did the right thing by calling us right away when they noticed the smoke," Triebold said. "If they would have waited, it could have definitely been a lot worse."

Beta Theta Pi member Alan Glassberg said he called the fire department and was told to pull the alarm and get everyone out.

"I'm now running for fire marshal," Glassberg said.