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Ohio State University has temporarily suspended a fraternity after a video showed two people catching fire as a crowd watched. Police are investigating whether a crime took place.
The incident happened Saturday near campus, but officers were not called to the scene that day. As of Monday, it was not clear what caused the fire or how badly the two people were hurt.
University spokesperson Ben Johnson said the school was aware of the incident and that the people involved were receiving medical care. Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s chapter at Ohio State has been placed on interim suspension while the university investigates.
In the video, a man wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants is seen on the ground, with flames covering much of his lower body. Several people stand nearby, some apparently holding drinks. The man gets up and runs across an open area before colliding with another man. They fall, and the second man’s clothes catch fire.
Both men try to pull off their burning clothes as people around them attempt to put out the flames. One jumps while removing his sweatpants as someone tries to stamp out the fire. The other rolls on the ground while several people use clothing to smother the flames. People can be heard shouting, including someone yelling for them to take off their clothes.
Ohio State referred the matter to its campus police department and the Columbus Division of Police. Columbus police said the incident appears to have taken place Nov. 7 in the 1900 block of Indianola Avenue. Officers learned about the video the following evening, after it began circulating online; no one had contacted them about the scene on Saturday.
Police are working with the university and the Columbus Division of Fire’s Arson Unit to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred, department spokesperson Sgt. Joe Albert said.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national organization is also investigating. CEO Steve Mitchell said the group was working with university officials and local law enforcement to establish what happened. He said the fraternity expects its members to meet standards of conduct and accountability, and that it would take action based on the investigation’s findings.
The case comes as fraternities face continued scrutiny over hazing investigations and reports of student injuries and deaths connected to Greek life.
