Ohio State Suspends Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity After Video Shows Burning Clothes
The university placed the chapter on interim suspension and made referrals to law enforcement after video showed burning clothes.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on Indianola Avenue in Columbus.
Credit: Google Street View · © 2026 Google · Google Street View panorama ITzDyykPB7QD_Hjy8Mp5dQ, captured September 2026
Ohio State University placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension after a weekend incident left people needing medical care, a university spokesperson said.
In a statement made late Sunday night, university spokesperson Ben Johnson said Sigma Alpha Epsilon is under investigation after officials reviewed viral video footage. University spokesperson Chris Booker confirmed that the incident involved the fraternity's Ohio State chapter and said the suspension was enacted after officials learned of the video.
The video posted on X showed multiple people tackling each other to the ground in an attempt to extinguish an individual's burning clothes, as another individual's clothing also ignited.
"The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care," Johnson said in a statement, adding that Ohio State placed the fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation and made referrals to law enforcement. University spokesperson Ben Johnson described the incident as concerning but did not specify how many people received medical care or describe the nature of their injuries.
The interim suspension prohibits the fraternity from holding or participating in activities as a registered student organization while the investigation is pending, and requires the chapter to stop all new-member activities.
In 2017, Ohio State records described two events during the chapter's new-member education process that the university said created risks of physical harm or humiliation, including an event where older members provided alcohol to new members and one new member required medical attention. In a November 2019 decision, Ohio State found the chapter responsible for failing to comply with previous sanctions and violating university alcohol rules during an event held Sept. 21-22, 2019. The university extended the chapter's probation through May 2023 and imposed additional restrictions on alcohol-present events.
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Supporting evidence (7)
Ohio State University placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension after a weekend incident left people needing medical care, a university spokesperson said.
Read supporting passage
Ohio State University has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension after a weekend incident left people needing medical care, a university spokesperson said.
"The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care," Johnson said in a statement, adding that Ohio State placed the fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation and made referrals to law enforcement.
Read supporting passage
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care,” Johnson said in a statement. “Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation, and the university has made referrals to law enforcement.”
University spokesperson Ben Johnson described the incident as concerning but did not specify how many people received medical care or describe the nature of their injuries.
Read supporting passage
University spokesperson Ben Johnson described the incident as “extremely concerning.” He did not say how many people received medical care or describe the nature of their injuries.
The interim suspension prohibits the fraternity from holding or participating in activities as a registered student organization while the investigation is pending, and requires the chapter to stop all new-member activities.
Read supporting passage
The interim suspension prohibits the fraternity from holding or participating in activities as a registered student organization while the investigation or conduct proceeding is pending. The chapter also must stop all new-member activities during the suspension.
In 2017, Ohio State records described two events during the chapter's new-member education process that the university said created risks of physical harm or humiliation, including an event where older members provided alcohol to new members and one new member required medical attention.
Read supporting passage
In 2017, Ohio State records described two events during the chapter’s new-member education process that the university said created risks of physical harm or humiliation. At one event following a Big/Little Reveal, older members provided alcohol to new members, and one new member required medical attention after drinking.
In a November 2019 decision, Ohio State found the chapter responsible for failing to comply with previous sanctions and violating university alcohol rules during an event held Sept. 21-22, 2019.
The university extended the chapter's probation through May 2023 and imposed additional restrictions on alcohol-present events.
Read supporting passage
The university extended the chapter’s probation through May 2023 and imposed additional restrictions on alcohol-present events, along with requirements for an alumni advisory board and regular meetings with university officials.
Ohio State fraternity on interim suspension after video shows two individuals on fire
Supporting evidence (1)
In a statement made late Sunday night, university spokesperson Ben Johnson said Sigma Alpha Epsilon is under investigation after officials reviewed viral video footage.
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In a statement made late Sunday night, OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said that Sigma Alpha Epsilon is under investigation after reviewing video footage that has gone viral
Supporting evidence (2)
University spokesperson Chris Booker confirmed that the incident involved the fraternity's Ohio State chapter and said the suspension was enacted after officials learned of the video.
Read supporting passage
Chris Booker, a university spokesperson, confirmed that the incident involved the Ohio State chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and that the suspension was enacted after they learned of the video.
The video posted on X showed multiple people tackling each other to the ground in an attempt to extinguish an individual's burning clothes, as another individual's clothing also ignited.
Read supporting passage
The video was posted on X at about 8:30 p.m., showing multiple people tackling each other to the ground in an attempt to extinguish an individual’s burning clothes. Another individual’s clothing also ignited, and both fell to the ground while attempting to remove their clothing.