An Ohio State University fraternity has been placed on temporary suspension after disturbing video showed two young men engulfed in flames while a surrounding crowd appeared to laugh and watch.
The footage circulating on social media shows a large group dressed in the school’s red-and-white colors. In the video, a man wearing a gray sweatsuit sits on the ground as his pants burn.
The panicked man then runs and collides with another man dressed in a similar outfit, setting the second man’s clothing on fire. The two struggle before falling to the ground and removing their clothes as the flames spread across their bodies.
Several people eventually move in to help extinguish the fire. At least one person is seen carrying a fire extinguisher.
Ohio State has since placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension in response to the alarming footage. The university has not said how the fraternity was connected to what it called an “extremely concerning incident,” nor confirmed whether those involved were fraternity members.
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving medical care,” university spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said in a statement.
“Ohio State is committed to a safe and healthy environment and expects students and student organizations to uphold that commitment and the university’s values.”
Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said the incident appeared to have taken place at an event Saturday. However, police received no calls for service beyond a report about the video circulating online.
The condition of the two men remains unclear. It is also unknown whether they were students or whether the incident was connected to a hazing ritual.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon CEO Steve Mitchell said the organization would take appropriate action against anyone found responsible following the investigation.
“We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident while working closely with university officials and local law enforcement,” he said in a statement.
Fraternities have faced heightened scrutiny nationwide after a Cornell University student alleged that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and gang-raped her in 2024.
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