A university fraternity has been suspended after a video went viral showing two men engulfed in flames as a crowd watches on laughing. The terrifying video shows the young men surrounded in fire as a group of people fail to stop and help.
The clip circulating on social media shows a large group of people clad in Ohio State University's red and white colours laughing as a man in a grey sweatsuit sits on the ground with his pants on fire. The panicking student can be seen running into another man in an identical outfit, causing the other man's clothes to catch fire. The pair end up struggling between themselves in the footage and end up, falling to the ground and trying to strip off their clothes as the flames crept up their bodies.
University places fraternity on interim suspension
Some men rushed to smother the fire and it was eventually seen that extinguisher was used on the pair. Ohio State University has since placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension following the alarming video as it was believed the men were members of the group.
“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.”
Police and fraternity respond
Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said the fiery scene appeared to unfold at an event on Saturday, but police did not receive any calls for service other than a report of the video circulating online. It’s unclear what condition the two men are in after the incident, or whether they were students involved in some sort of hazing ritual.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon CEO Steve Mitchell also said the organisation will take appropriate action to hold those 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.
Fraternities have been in the hot seat across the nation after a Cornell University student alleged that seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and gang-raped her in 2024.
