Police: 57 fires, at least 15 arrests in East Lansing after Michigan State wins Big Ten title

12/9/2013

Members of the Michigan State Police Department arrest an unruly celebrant, early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in East Lansing's Cedar Village. Thousands of Michigan State students celebrated the football team's Big Ten title with large, rowdy bonfires. East Lansing police arrested multiple people Saturday night near River and Cedar streets, which is a traditional spot for MSU students to party after major sports victories. No. 10 MSU defeated No. 2 Ohio State 34-24 late Saturday, earning its first Rose Bowl appearance in a quarter-century. (AP Photo/The State Journal, Matthew Dae Smith) NO SALES

ASSOCIATED PRESS

EAST LANSING, Mich. — East Lansing police say at least 15 people were arrested during a rowdy celebration of Michigan State’s victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.

The police department’s weekend report says 12 people arrested were students and one was an alumnus. East Lansing police say there were at least 57 fires, especially in a neighborhood of apartments just off the eastern edge of campus.

The Lansing State Journal posted video online showing thousands of revelers cheering loudly as a couch was tossed on a fire. The street scenes early Sunday occurred after the Spartans defeated the Buckeyes and earned a Rose Bowl bid.

Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon says the behavior was disappointing.

Miles away in Ypsilanti, police reported two couch fires related to the game.