Henry Winkler sparked a heated debate when he shared a tweet suggesting that the devastating Los Angeles wildfires may have been caused by an arsonist who, in his words, should be punished until “unrecognizable.” The tweet quickly gained traction online, prompting officials to address the claim and dispel the theory before it spread further.
Just two days after Los Angeles began battling wind-driven wildfires, Henry Winkler, best known for his role as Fonzie on Happy Days, took to X to voice his frustration over the destruction sweeping the city.
“THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA,” the 79-year-old actor wrote. Winkler, who owns a home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood, continued, “May you be beaten you unrecognizable!!! The pain you have caused!!!”
The post, viewed over 7.1 million times, received a flood of positive comments from fans who shared similar concerns.
“I was wondering about this…because no one has said how it was caused,” one user commented. Another speculated, “Probably multiple arsonists.”
A third user added, “Agreed. I’ve always thought that, and I have suspicions about who sent them too. Some people are so jealous of California.”
One user questioned the nature of the alleged arson, asking, “Is this a single arsonist or an organized network? There are a number of fires that have started… it’s highly feasible that this is an organized effort.”
While Winkler’s candid tweet gained support, it also faced a wave of backlash.
“Henry, you [used] to be cool, now you are a whiny idiot,” one critic tweeted. Another dismissed his claim as a “conspiracy theory,” while a third sarcastically noted, “Nice to see you all finally outraged about something other than Trump.”
‘No conclusive evidence’
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and other officials stepped in to address Winkler’s claims.
In a statement to TMZ, the LAFD stated, “There’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”
TMZ further reported that the LAFD’s arson squad is looking into the fires in the affected areas, though they clarified that such investigations are standard procedure for large-scale wildfires.
California Fire Chief David Acuna also told the BBC that there is currently “no conclusive evidence” that the wildfires were intentionally started.
‘People lighting fires’
Despite the lack of evidence, Winkler’s tweet has continued to fuel debate online.
Andrew Huberman, a neurobiology professor at Stanford University, shared a concerning video clip in response to Winkler’s post. Huberman alleged that individuals might be deliberately starting fires in urban areas.
“People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen firsthand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica. Called it in & fire dept & police responded. Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here,” Huberman wrote.
His video, which has now been viewed over 10 million times, even caught the attention of Elon Musk, who simply replied, “WOW.”
People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen first hand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica. Called it in & fire dept & police responded. Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here. pic.twitter.com/AZ4GLr6N3q
— Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. (@hubermanlab) January 9, 2025
Authorities have yet to identify an official cause for the wildfires, including the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, two of the most devastating blazes in California’s history.
What do you think?
What are your thoughts on Henry Winkler’s suggestion that the deadly wildfires, which have claimed 24 lives so far, may have been deliberately set? Share your perspective and spread this story to hear what others have to say!