Henry Winkler claims LA wildfires intentionally sparked

Henry Winkler lost his temper when he posted on social media about the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, claiming they were the result of an arsonist who deserved to be "beaten beyond recognition." His post quickly grabbed the attention of the online community, prompting officials to address the viral theory in an effort to quash speculation before it spiraled further.

Just two days after one of North America’s largest cities began grappling with wind-driven wildfires, Winkler, widely recognized for his role as the effortlessly cool Fonzie, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his distress over the destruction in Los Angeles.

“There is an arsonist here in LA,” the 79-year-old Happy Days star wrote. Winkler, a resident of Brentwood, an affluent neighborhood in LA, added, “May you be beaten beyond recognition!!! The pain you have caused!!!”

The post, which garnered 7.1 million views, was met with enthusiastic support from fans, who inundated the comments section with messages of agreement.

One commenter wrote, “I was wondering about this… because no one has said how it started.” Another speculated, “Probably multiple arsonists.”

A third added, “Agreed. I’ve always suspected this, and I have my own theories about who’s behind it. Some people are just envious of California.”

Some users delved deeper into the topic, with one asking, “Is this a single arsonist or an organized group? There are multiple fires breaking out… it’s entirely possible this is a coordinated effort.”

While many backed Winkler’s bold statement, others criticized it harshly.

“Henry, you used to be cool; now you’re just whining,” one person commented. Another warned, “Here come the conspiracy theories.” A third, addressing Winkler’s known political stance, remarked, “Nice to see you finally upset about something other than Trump.”

No Conclusive Evidence

Winkler’s accusations didn’t only spark online debates. Officials also stepped in to clarify the situation.

In a statement to TMZ, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) explained, “There’s no way to determine at this moment exactly where or how the fires originated, but an investigation is ongoing.”

TMZ further reported that the LAFD’s arson squad was actively looking into the fires in the area. While the word "arson" might sound alarming, the department clarified that investigating any large-scale fire is standard procedure. Meanwhile, California Fire Chief David Acuna told the BBC, “There is no conclusive evidence to suggest the fires were deliberately started.”

Reports of Intentional Fires

Despite the lack of proof, Winkler’s post has kept the online conversation ablaze, with many debating the possibility of intentional acts causing the fires.

Stanford University neurobiology professor Andrew Huberman added fuel to the discussion by sharing a troubling video in the comments section of Winkler’s post. Huberman claimed that he personally witnessed people setting fires in urban areas of Los Angeles.

“People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. I saw this happen firsthand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica,” he shared. “I called it in, and the fire department and police responded. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. We don’t need more flames out here.”

Huberman’s post attracted over 10 million views, including a reaction from Elon Musk, who simply replied, “WOW.”

Still No Official Cause

Authorities have yet to determine the definitive causes of the fires, including the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which are among the most destructive wildfires in California’s history. The blazes have already claimed 24 lives.

What are your thoughts on Winkler’s suggestion that the deadly fires were intentionally set? Feel free to share your opinion and spread this story to hear what others think about this controversial topic!