Ohio State University has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension after a disturbing video showed two young men engulfed in flames while people around them laughed and watched the chaos unfold, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
The footage, which circulated on social media, captured a large crowd wearing the university’s red and white colors. A man dressed in a gray sweatsuit was sitting on the ground as his pants burned.
Instead of immediately receiving help from everyone nearby, the panicked man was surrounded by people who could be heard laughing. He then ran toward another man who was wearing an identical outfit.
The burning man dove into the second man, causing the other man’s clothes to catch fire as well. Both men then struggled desperately while the flames spread across their clothing and moved up their bodies.
The pair fell to the ground and began pulling off their clothes in an effort to escape the flames. What began with one man on fire quickly became a horrifying scene involving both men.
Other men eventually rushed forward and attempted to smother the flames. At least one person in the video could be seen holding a fire extinguisher while the group tried to bring the situation under control.
Watching these morons try to use a fire extinguisher is the best part. #osu #firegate https://t.co/0dtILflF6r
— Chad “SnowMobile” Riskus (@ChadRisky) November 9, 2026 [2]
The university responded by placing Sigma Alpha Epsilon on interim suspension following the release of the alarming footage. Officials have not explained how the fraternity was connected to what the university called an “extremely concerning incident.”
It also remains unclear whether the two men or the other people seen in the video are members of the fraternity. The university has not clarified whether anyone involved was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving medical care,” university spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said in a statement.
“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 university’s statement confirmed that the individuals were receiving medical care, but their conditions were not disclosed. The available information did not indicate the extent of any injuries suffered during the fire.
Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said the fiery episode appeared to have occurred during an event on Saturday. Police, however, did not receive calls requesting service at the scene while the incident was unfolding.
According to Albert, the only report received by police concerned the video that was circulating online. The source did not identify who submitted that report or when authorities first learned about the footage.
It remains unknown whether the men were Ohio State students. Officials also have not determined publicly whether the incident was connected to some form of fraternity hazing ritual.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon CEO Steve Mitchell said the organization was examining the circumstances and working with university officials and local law enforcement. He said appropriate action would be taken 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,” Mitchell said in a statement.
The fraternity organization did not publicly identify the people shown in the video or explain the nature of the event. Its statement also did not provide additional details about how Sigma Alpha Epsilon may have been connected to the incident.
The suspension arrives as fraternities face scrutiny over serious allegations at campuses elsewhere. In a separate case, a Cornell University student alleged that seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and gang-raped her in 2024.
For the Ohio State incident, major questions remain unanswered as the investigations proceed. The conditions of the two men, their connection to the university, the fraternity’s alleged involvement, and whether hazing played any role have not been publicly established.