Two Ohio State Students Set on Fire at Sigma Alpha Epsilon Party

Two Ohio State University students suffered second- and third-degree burns after being set on fire during a fraternity party this past weekend.

The incident, which took place Saturday at an off-campus gathering hosted by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, has triggered an investigation by local police and arson specialists, Inside Higher Ed reported.

A 35-second video of the event began circulating on social media, showing a person on the ground with sweatpants on fire while a circle of observers in university spirit wear stood nearby. In the footage, bystanders can be heard yelling, “Go,” before the individual on fire stands up and lunges toward another person in an identical outfit, causing him to catch fire as well.

“They stood around watching while this kid just burned. They put gasoline on him and lit him on fire, and then just kind of stood there and laughed,” a caller said in an audio recording obtained by the Dispatch.

The 911 call, made by someone identifying as a student, reported that the fraternity had “set their pledges on fire,” according to the Dispatch.

Columbus police did not receive a report of the incident until Sunday, after the video was shared in a group chat. The charges currently under investigation involve hazing, Inside Higher Ed reported.

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Ohio State University responded to the violence by placing the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter on interim suspension. Ben Johnson, a spokesperson for Ohio State, described the situation as “extremely concerning.”

The video shows a moment where a fire extinguisher appears in the frame, though it does not seem to emit any chemical powder as the fire spreads. As the flames spread, observers in the video can be heard shouting, “Drop! Drop!” and “Take it off!”

One student at the university expressed a desire for the campus Greek life community to face consequences for the event. “These fraternities out here, they kind of crazy,” she told a local NBC affiliate. “Even the small stuff, even if you hear, ‘Yo, we finna set this dude on fire,’ like, you got to cut that immediately, expeditiously.”

The national Sigma Alpha Epsilon organization has acknowledged the footage. Steve Mitchell, the organization’s CEO, issued a statement on Monday saying the group is aware of the video and is taking the matter seriously.

“Sigma Alpha Epsilon holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability. Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation,” Mitchell said.

The investigation into the specific actions of the fraternity members and the circumstances of the fire continues.