Ohio State Suspends SAE Chapter During Fire Investigation

Ohio State University has placed its Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter on interim suspension while the university and law enforcement investigate an incident in which two people were burned and received medical care, the university said. The incident was captured in a video circulated on social media, but its circumstances and the people’s connection to the fraternity have not been established.

University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said Ohio State referred the matter to Columbus police. The university said the two people were receiving medical care; it has not reported the severity of their injuries or their later condition.

The video appears to show one person with burning clothing running into another person, whose clothing also catches fire. The two fall to the ground as people nearby intervene. The footage does not establish how the fire started, where the incident took place or whether anyone involved belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon. An allegation that people were deliberately set on fire has not been independently verified.

Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert said the incident appeared to have occurred on Saturday, November 7. Police received no call about it that day, he said,...