Members of Theta Chi Fraternity, temporarily moved to Towers residence halls, will probably not be there much longer, their chapter adviser said Monday.

The members have received an offer from the men of Adelante Fraternity to provide them with living arrangements for the rest of the year following the fire that destroyed their chapter house at 219 Ash over the weekend.

Jon Fleming, Theta Chi chapter adviser and alumnus, said moving into the Adelante house would be the best situation for the men because it would allow them to continue to function as a chapter.

Plans to rebuild are still in the works, but there is no timetable set yet.

“This is a chapter of vision. We will continue to function without a physical structure,” he said, adding that there is “no question” the fraternity will rebuild.

A grease fire that started in the kitchen sent the house up in smoke about 4:30 Saturday morning. The grease was ignited by two hot stove burners that were left on. No one was injured in the fire and foul play is not suspected.

The house was nearly a total loss.

An insurance adjustor will be at the house today, and Fleming hopes a decision on whether any part of the structure can be saved will come within a few weeks.

Fleming said members would like to rebuild on the original structure, but they will have to find out if it is sound. “We would have been having our 75th anniversary at this location next year,” he said. “We are having a strong rush, and we will continue to grow. This is an opportunity to grow and get bigger and better.”

Theta Chi has 22 members that Fleming said are coping well.

“My heart bleeds for these men,” he said.

Although some members had originally said that they were thinking of dropping out of school for the semester, Fleming said he would be “very surprised” if anyone dropped out now. “I think they said that in an emotional state on Saturday. Most of the guys have come to their senses so to speak.”

On Monday afternoon, fraternity members and fire department officials toured what was left of the house, salvaging what remains they could. Although the structure was insured, that insurance only covered the belongings of the fraternity, such as furniture and appliances.

The city’s assessment of the building was $342,300 and the land was valued at $192,900, for a total of $535,200.

Fleming said many photo composites of previous house members were saved, but many of the oldest objects with sentimental value, which were stored in the attic, were a total loss.

The belongings of the members living in the house are not covered by the same insurance policy of the fraternity, but many of the men are covered by their parents’ home owner’s policies. Still, there are huge losses.

“There are some guys left with just a t-shirt and pair of gym shorts,” Fleming said.

But Theta Chi officials say an out-pouring of support from community members has been some comfort.

Fleming said the athletic department replaced the season football tickets of all the men in the house at no cost.

He also cited the Dean of Students Office and the American Red Cross as valuable sources of help and donations.

University Book Store has made arrangements for the men also. As well as donating a free school supply kit to each member, the bookstore is allowing them to charge any text books they need to their university bills, said Mike Shupp, a manager at the bookstore.

“We are also giving extra discounts,” he said. “We’re selling at close to cost on other things, including backpacks, art and school supplies, electronics and some clothing,” Shupp said.

A national representative of Theta Chi was in Ames Monday to “give direction,” Fleming said. “They’re being very supportive. There are all kinds of loans available.”

Other fraternities and sororities have made donations as well. “The Greek system has been overwhelming in support,” Fleming said. He said that Pi Beta Phi Sorority, FarmHouse Fraternity and Theta Delta Chi Fraternity have been “extremely helpful.”

Dozens of people have called in support.

“We’ve made extraordinary progress in 48 hours,” Fleming said. “We’re coming back stronger than ever.”