Henry Winkler, the beloved actor known for his role as the cool and charming Fonzie from Happy Days, became the center of a heated online controversy when he posted a furious message about the wildfires that were devastating Los Angeles. His post, filled with raw emotion, quickly went viral, leading to both passionate support and intense criticism from all sides.
It all started when Los Angeles, one of North America’s largest cities, was hit by fierce, wind-driven wildfires. The city was grappling with the destruction when Winkler, who lives in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of LA, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration.
His words were sharp and filled with anger: “There is an arsonist here in LA,” Winkler wrote. “May you be beaten beyond recognition!!! The pain you have caused!!!”
Winkler’s post, which was viewed by millions, sparked an explosion of responses online. Many fans, who admired the actor for his decades-long career, jumped in to agree with his accusations. “I was wondering about this… because no one has said how it started,” one commenter wrote, expressing concern that the fires seemed to have no clear origin.
THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA . May you be beaten you unrecognizable !!! The pain you have caused !!!
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) January 9, 2025
Another user added, “Probably multiple arsonists,” suggesting that more than one person could be behind the fires. Yet another commenter went further, saying, “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 even started speculating in more detail, 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.” The idea of a group of arsonists working together added fuel to the fire of speculation that was already running rampant.
But not everyone was on board with Winkler’s post. Some social media users felt the actor had gone too far. “Henry, you used to be cool; now you’re just whining,” one person commented. Another warned, “Here come the conspiracy theories.”
Others, familiar with Winkler’s known political stance, chimed in with their own critiques: “Nice to see you finally upset about something other than Trump,” one commenter said sarcastically, pointing out Winkler’s previous political outbursts.
The post didn’t just ignite debates on social media; it also caught the attention of officials who were working to address the wildfires. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) quickly stepped in to clarify the situation and prevent rumors from spiraling out of control.
In a statement to TMZ, the LAFD said, “There’s no way to determine at this moment exactly where or how the fires originated, but an investigation is ongoing.” The department explained that investigating large fires for potential arson was a standard procedure, even if no clear evidence of arson had been found.
California Fire Chief David Acuna also told the BBC, “There is no conclusive evidence to suggest the fires were deliberately started.”
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Winkler’s post continued to fuel the online conversation, with many still wondering if the fires were intentionally set. Adding to the speculation, Stanford University neurobiology professor Andrew Huberman shared his own unsettling experience.
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
In a comment on Winkler’s post, Huberman claimed he had personally witnessed people setting fires in urban areas of Los Angeles. “People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA,” he wrote. “I saw this happen firsthand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica.
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 gained massive traction, racking up over 10 million views. Even tech mogul Elon Musk reacted to the claim with a simple but shocked reply: “WOW.”
As of now, the authorities still haven’t determined the exact causes of the fires, which have become some of the deadliest in California’s history.
Among the most destructive fires are the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which have already claimed 24 lives. As officials continue their investigation, the public remains divided on whether the fires were caused intentionally or by natural forces.
So, what do you think? Was Winkler right to suspect arson, or was he jumping to conclusions without enough evidence? Do you believe the fires were set on purpose, or do you think they were simply the result of natural disasters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
