Ohio State University has suspended a fraternity after a disturbing video appeared to show two people engulfed in flames while bystanders watched and cheered. Police are investigating whether the incident involved criminal conduct.
The incident took place Saturday near the university, but Columbus police said no one contacted them at the time.
As of Monday, authorities had not disclosed what caused the fire or the extent 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 Outlet. “Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation.”
Ohio State University signage on campus in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
The social media video showed a man in a sweatshirt and sweatpants lying on the ground as flames spread across much of his lower body. Several people stood around him, and some appeared to be holding drinks.
The man rose 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 remove their burning clothes while people nearby tried to put out the flames. One man jumped as he pulled off his sweatpants, while another person attempted to stamp out the fire.
The second man fell and removed his sweatpants as several bystanders tried to smother the flames with clothing. He repeatedly rolled across the ground while the fire continued to burn.
Voices can be heard shouting in the video, including one person yelling, “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.
Columbus police said the incident apparently occurred Saturday, Nov. 7, in the 1900 block of Indianola Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
Although the video showed a dramatic fire, no one called Columbus police to the location that day. Authorities learned about the incident 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 Outlet.
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 launched its own review of the incident.
Students walk across Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. (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 Outlet. “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 and a series of student injuries and deaths connected to Greek life.
