RismadarVoice Reporters
November 10, 2026
Ohio State University in the United States has placed its Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension following the circulation of a disturbing video showing two men engulfed in flames during an outdoor gathering.
The footage, widely shared on social media, shows a young man whose trousers were burning before he moved towards another individual and tackled him to the ground.
The second man’s clothing subsequently caught fire, prompting both individuals to roll on the ground and attempt to remove their burning clothes.
Several people standing nearby were seen laughing and shouting, while others eventually intervened to help extinguish the flames.
University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson confirmed that the institution was aware of the incident and that the affected individuals were receiving medical treatment.
Johnson said the fraternity had been placed on interim suspension pending a comprehensive investigation.
The university also referred the matter to campus police and the Columbus Division of Police for further investigation.
According to Columbus Police Sergeant Joe Albert, the incident appeared to have occurred on Saturday, November 7.
He explained that officers did not receive an emergency call from the location when the incident occurred but were subsequently alerted after the video circulated online.
The Columbus Division of Fire’s arson investigators are also examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not confirmed how the fire started, the extent of the injuries or whether the two individuals involved are registered students of the university.
The precise connection between the fraternity and the incident also remains under investigation.
Reacting to the development, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chief Executive Officer Steve Mitchell said the organisation was cooperating with university officials and law enforcement agencies.
Mitchell maintained that conduct violating the fraternity’s standards would not be tolerated, promising appropriate action based on the investigation’s findings.
The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of fraternity activities and student safety at American universities.
In October, Cornell University suspended fraternity-house parties and social events for the remainder of the 2026–2027 academic year following allegations of sexual assault involving a fraternity house.
The allegations, relating to an incident in 2024, are the subject of legal proceedings and investigations.
Meanwhile, Ohio State University has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and ensuring that student organisations comply with institutional regulations.
Investigators are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire and whether any laws or university policies were violated.
