Ohio State University placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension Monday following the circulation of a video showing two men caught in flames. The university referred the matter to both university and Columbus police for further investigation.
University officials said the incident appears to have occurred on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. While Columbus police did not receive calls for service at the time of the event, a report was filed Sunday evening after the video began appearing on social media. The footage shows a man with his sweatpants on fire lunging at and tackling a second man, whose clothes then also ignite. Onlookers are seen intervening, with one individual using a fire extinguisher.
University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson stated that the individuals involved are receiving medical care, though the university did not say if they are students or release their current medical conditions. Steve Mitchell, CEO of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said the organization is conducting its own investigation and will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable.
The suspension affects the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at the university, which has more than 60,000 enrolled students. The university did not specify exactly how the fraternity is linked to the event. The incident occurs amid national attention on fraternity behavior following a recent lawsuit involving Cornell University. The fraternity has pledged to cooperate with law enforcement and university officials. What happens next depends on the findings of the police and university probes.