Ian Alberta 06, a senior fine arts major in Architecture Art & Planning, died early Saturday morning when his apartment burned down, leaving another student and three other fire fighters injured.[img_assist|nid=60|title=Ian Alberta.|desc=|link=popup|align=right|width=68|height=100][img_assist|nid=61|title=Fatal blaze.|desc=111-113 Heights Court, the scene of a fatal blaze.|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=75]
The fire, the cause of which is still unknown, occurred around 4 a.m. at 111-113 Heights Court apartment, near North Campus. The injured student has been released from Cayuga Medical Center with leg injuries. Two of the fire fighters injured were treated and released on the scene, and a third was treated at Cayuga Medical Center and released.
In a statement, Tommy Bruce, vice president for University communications, said that, We are all deeply sorrowed by this terrible loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the young mans family.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Ithaca Police Department, according to a press release put out by the City of Ithaca.
A memorial service for Alberta, an Ithaca native, is planned for Wednesday, May 17, at 4 p.m. in Sage Chapel, according to a University statement. A reception will be held afterwards at the Straight Memorial room.
Albertas family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent in Ians name to:
Habitat for Humanity, Cornell
Cornell University
Willard Straight Hall, Box #91
Ithaca, N.Y. 14853
Checks should be made out to Habitat for Humanity-Cornell.
The University said that it is working with the students left homeless from the blaze to find alternative housing.
