Ohio State officials suspend fraternity after alleged video of students laughing at man engulfed in flames goes viral: ‘extremely concerning’

Ohio State University officials have temporarily suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. The move comes after a video went viral online showing two men rolling on the ground while engulfed in flames, per the Associated Press.

The footage appears to show a large crowd of students, many wearing Ohio State’s signature red and white jerseys, laughing and shouting expletives as a man rolls on the ground with his sweatpants on fire. He eventually gets up and tackles another student, spreading the flames.

An onlooker attempts to put out the fire with an extinguisher as the two wrestle briefly before separating and stripping off their clothing. Other students can be seen using their hoodies to smother the flames.

Nobody thought to call for help

Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said the incident appears to have occurred on Saturday, November 7, and noted there were no calls for service reported at the location that day. Authorities learned of the video the following evening, when someone reported that it was circulating online.

In a statement published by Fox, the fraternity’s CEO Steve Mitchell wrote, “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 added, “Sigma Alpha Epsilon holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability. Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization.”

University officials and local authorities are currently investigating the incident. In a statement published by WOSU, Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson wrote, “The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving medical care.” Johnson continued, “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.”

The viral video comes amid a series of troubling incidents involving the Ohio State frat community and its staff. In March, university officials suspended the Alpha Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi after a hazing incident left a student hospitalized. By July, the university revoked the fraternity’s campus registration for 10 years following an investigation that found violations of hazing, endangering behavior, and alcohol, as reported by WOSU.

Then last month, former university professor James S. Hill was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his wife. Hill claimed that a $15,000 blackmail attempt pushed him to desperation. In another tragedy, 53-year-old Larissa Brady died in 2024 after falling from the stands at the university’s graduation ceremony.