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An Ohio State University fraternity has been suspended after a disturbing video showed two people engulfed in flames as onlookers cheered, prompting police to investigate whether any criminal acts occurred.
The chaotic scene unfolded Saturday near the university, though police said they were not called to the area that day.
It remained unclear Monday what led to the incident or how seriously the two people were injured.
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“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care,” Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson told Fox News Digital. “Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation.”
The Ohio State University signage on the campus on November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
A video circulating on social media showed a man wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants on the ground with flames covering much of his lower body. A crowd surrounded him, with several people appearing to hold drinks.
The man got to his feet and ran across an open area before colliding with another man who was also wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Both fell to the ground, and the second man’s clothing then caught fire.
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Both men scrambled to remove their burning clothes as others attempted to extinguish the flames. One of the two men who caught fire jumped while pulling off his sweatpants as another person tried to stomp out the flames.
The second man fell to the ground and removed his sweatpants while several people tried to smother the flames with clothing. He then rolled repeatedly on the ground as the fire continued to burn.
Several people could be heard shouting, including one person yelling, “Take them off,” as the men attempted to shed their burning clothes.
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Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (SAE) – Ohio Theta Chapter House at 1934 Indianola Ave photographed March 25, 2021. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The university referred the matter to Ohio State University Police and the Columbus Division of Police, Johnson said.
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Columbus police told Fox News Digital the incident appeared to have happened Saturday, Nov. 7, in the 1900 block of Indianola Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
Despite the fiery scene, no one called Columbus police to the area that day. It was not until the following evening that police were alerted to the video circulating online.
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“The Columbus Division of Police was alerted by The Ohio State University to the video that is circulating online showing two individuals on fire,” Sgt. Joe Albert, a department spokesperson, told Fox News Digital.
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Someone also called police about the video that evening, Albert said. Investigators are now working with Ohio State and the Columbus Division of Fire’s Arson Unit to determine whether any criminal acts occurred.
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Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national organization is also looking into the incident.
Students walk on campus at the Ohio State University, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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“Sigma Alpha Epsilon is aware of a concerning video involving an incident at The Ohio State University,” CEO Steve Mitchell said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident while working closely with university officials and local law enforcement.”
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Mitchell said the fraternity holds its collegiate members to “high standards of conduct and accountability.”
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“Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization,” Mitchell said. “We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.”
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The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of fraternities across the U.S. following a series of hazing investigations, student injuries and deaths tied to Greek life.