A fraternity at Ohio State University has been temporarily suspended while authorities investigate a video that appears to show two panicked men engulfed in flames.
A video shared on social media shows a large group of people standing outside, many wearing the school's red and white colours, laughing and shouting while a man sits on the ground with his sweatpants on fire. He then lunges at a second person and tackles him. The second man's clothing also catches fire, and they both roll on the ground removing their clothes as several onlookers intervene. One appears to be holding a small fire extinguisher.
University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said the school has placed Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension while it investigates, and has referred the matter to university and Columbus police. The university did not say how the fraternity is linked to the event, whether the burned men are students or what condition they were in Tuesday.
"The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving medical care," Johnson said in a statement. "Ohio State is committed to a safe and healthy environment and expects students and student organisations to uphold that commitment and the university's values."
Columbus Police Sergeant Joe Albert said it appeared the incident took place on Saturday (Sunday NZT). Police did not receive any calls for service at the location, but someone called police Sunday evening, reporting that the video was circulating online, he said.
Steve Mitchell, CEO of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said behaviour that violated its high standards had no place in its organisation and it would take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable based on the investigation.
"We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident while working closely with university officials and local law enforcement," he said in a statement.
More than 60,000 students are enrolled at the university.
Fraternities are back in the national spotlight in the wake of a former Cornell University student's lawsuit saying she was gang raped at a fraternity party in 2024.
SHARE ME