Updated Nov. 9, 2026, 2:46 p.m. ET
Ohio State University has placed a fraternity on temporary suspension while it investigates an incident in which two individuals were apparently set on fire over the weekend.
In a statement to The Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said the university placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension after a video circulated on social media showing people on fire.
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care,” Johnson said in a statement. “Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation, and the university has made referrals to law enforcement.”
Columbus police said they are investigating the incident, which they said appears to have occurred on Saturday, Nov. 7th. In a statement, police said they did not receive a call about the incident until Nov. 8, when they said someone tipped them off to the video circulating online.
Steve Mitchell, CEO of the national Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said in a statement that the organization was aware of the video and “take this matter seriously.” Mitchell said the group was in contact with Ohio State and local law enforcement.
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability,” Mitchell said. “Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.”
The local chapter did not return requests for comment.
What happened in the Ohio State fire video?
In a video shared on X, a person is seen on the ground with his sweatpants on fire, while another appears to be attempting to spray them with a fire extinguisher. A crowd of people dressed in red and white Buckeye football gear surrounds the person in a semi-circle while techno music plays in the background.
Then, the person on fire lunges at a second individual, whose clothing also catches on fire. Flames leap up both of their legs. The two people are wearing matching grey outfits.
One of the people in the video attempts to use a fire extinguisher before both participants fall to the ground and start rolling around, taking their sweatpants off.
Several onlookers intervene and help extinguish the fire as the victims roll on the floor and take off their clothing.
A majority of the students in the crowd appear to be wearing Buckeye football gear or other sports apparel. It is unclear what led to the fire or when the date of the incident occurred.
The video appears to have been filmed at 1980 Indianola Ave, about 6 minutes down the road from Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s main fraternity house. The property owner did not answer multiple calls from the USA TODAY Network. Fraternities often have annex houses where they host events.
It is unclear what injuries the victims received or if charges have been filed in the incident.
Fraternities under fire
Ohio’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter is the latest fraternity to face scrutiny amid high-profile accusations of sexual assault, hazing, and misconduct by other Greek life organizations nationwide, including at Cornell, the University of Arizona, and Louisiana State University.
Another frat at the Big Ten school, Pi Kappa Phi, made headlines earlier this year for sending a student to the hospital in an unnamed incident. Ohio State suspended the organization for 10 years. In April, the school suspended the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity for alcohol and hazing violations.
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
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