An Ohio State University fraternity has been placed on interim suspension after a disturbing video appeared to show two people engulfed in flames while bystanders cheered. Police are investigating whether the incident involved criminal conduct.
The chaotic episode reportedly occurred Saturday near the university, although Columbus police said no one contacted them at the time.
As of Monday, authorities had not disclosed what sparked the incident or the severity of the injuries suffered by the two people.
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care,” Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson told News Media. “Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation.”
Ohio State University signage on the campus in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
The video circulating on social media showed a man in a sweatshirt and sweatpants on the ground, with flames covering much of his lower body. Several people stood around him, and some appeared to be holding drinks.
The man stood up and ran across an open area before crashing into another man, who was also wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Both fell, and the second man’s clothing then caught fire.
The two men struggled to strip off their burning clothes as people nearby tried to put out the flames. One man jumped while removing his sweatpants as another person attempted to stamp out the fire.
The second man fell and pulled off his sweatpants while several bystanders tried to smother the flames with clothing. He repeatedly rolled across the ground as the fire continued.
Several voices can be heard in the video, including one person shouting, “Take them off,” as the men tried to remove the burning clothing.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Ohio Theta Chapter house at 1934 Indianola Ave., photographed March 25, 2021. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Johnson said the university referred the matter to Ohio State University Police and the Columbus Division of Police.
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Columbus police said the incident appears to have occurred Saturday, Nov. 7, in the 1900 block of Indianola Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
Although the video showed a highly dangerous scene, no one called Columbus police at the time. Officers were not notified until the following evening, after the video began circulating online.
“The Columbus Division of Police was alerted by The Ohio State University to the video that is circulating online showing two individuals on fire,” Sgt. Joe Albert, a department spokesperson, told News Media.
Albert said someone also contacted police about the video that evening. Investigators are working with Ohio State and the Columbus Division of Fire’s Arson Unit to determine whether a crime occurred.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national organization has also opened an investigation.
Students walk across the Ohio State University campus on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon is aware of a concerning video involving an incident at The Ohio State University,” CEO Steve Mitchell said in a statement to News Media. “We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident while working closely with university officials and local law enforcement.”
Mitchell said the fraternity expects its collegiate members to meet “high standards of conduct and accountability.”
“Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization,” Mitchell said. “We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.”
The incident comes as fraternities nationwide face renewed scrutiny following hazing investigations, student injuries and deaths connected to Greek life.