Authorities say underage drinking and a waterfall pouring down a staircase led police to break up a party at a Massachusetts Institute of Technology fraternity house.
Boston police say the first floor of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house was being "operated as a nightclub" with low light, strobe lights and a DJ Sunday night without the approval of the City of Boston License Division.
Police say detectives observed an underage person with a can of beer. They say the occupants had also installed a waterfall on the upper floor that soaked the marble staircase.
"I remember seeing a lot of kids form a line and I heard sirens come eventually," said student John Kim.
Students who live next to the building said the fraternity has frequent parties.
According to city officials, the building is zoned to hold only 39 people, but on Saturday night, 116 were reportedly inside.
"They always have parties, yeah, they have some crazy stuff going on all the time," said student Sasha Shapiro. "I think this is over the top and not really what you should be doing, especially the first week of school, because you can get kicked out for that."
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The fraternity's president was issued a violation for hazardous conditions inside the building and other offenses.
Phi Delta Theta's national office released a statement, saying it has launched an investigation into the incident:
"Since learning of the incident, Phi Delta Theta has been working with local officials to conduct an investigation. Phi Delta Theta holds the health and safety of its members and guests in high regard and any violation of the law or organizational policies that puts any individuals at risk is taken very seriously."
