LA Fire Department responds to Henry Winkler’s shock claim about cause of blazes
The LA Fire Department has responded after Henry Winkler made a shocking claim about the cause of California’s fires.
Amid the devastation caused by the Pacific Palisades fire, the Happy Days icon, 79, addressed X with an inflammatory message accusing foul play.
He wrote: ‘THERE IS an arsonist here in LA. May you be beaten beyond recognition!!! The pain you caused!!!’
His claims quickly went viral, with fans pledging their support and others criticizing him for spreading panic.
An LA Fire Department official responded to the claim via TMZsaying ‘there is no way at this time to know exactly where and how the series of fires started, but investigations are ongoing.’
The LA Fire team that investigates every fire is the arson squad, but that is self-evident for any major fire and does not confirm arson, the official said.
The LA Fire Department has responded after Henry Winkler made a shocking claim about the cause of California’s fires
Amid the devastation caused by the Pacific Palisades fire, the Happy Days icon, 79, addressed X with an incendiary message accusing foul play
Fans were quick to comment on Winkler’s post, writing, “I’ve been watching all day and night. How is it possible that the fires continue to spread for miles? How did the Hollywood Hills fire start? I’m starting to wonder if they’re arsonists or terrorists, or both.
Others wrote: ‘In a way you’re right.’ and “My opinion of you just sunk.” What good is harming it physically? it would be disturbing to do and disturbing to see. But locking them up would do some good.
‘Embers blown by the wind can travel a distance of more than three kilometers and cause fires. While it is possible, it is doubtful that they were all caused by arson, especially with no rain since March 2024 and winds of 100 miles per hour.
‘Both from starting the fires and from the Californian government. They didn’t light the match. However, they do set the tone for the government neglect that has brought us to this point.
‘Arsonist or terrorist attack – there is no way that fire would just ignite out of nowhere when the wind is in a different direction and/or appears so far apart.’
Firefighters are battling a series of major blazes that have killed at least five people, destroyed communities and forced thousands to flee.
More than 18 square miles and 1,300 structures were destroyed in the LA area on Thursday since five wildfires broke out in the region, causing an estimated $48 billion in damage.
Fans were quick to comment on Winkler’s post, writing, “I’ve been watching all day and night. How is it possible that the fires continue to spread for miles? How did the Hollywood Hills fire start? I’m starting to wonder if they’re arsonists or terrorists, or both.’
Other stars who have lost their homes include Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy, John Goodman and Paris Hilton.
The devastating fires, which have killed at least five and forced 130,000 people to evacuate, have also disrupted scheduled events such as the Critics Choice Awards and an upcoming NHL game between the LA Kings and Calgary Flames.
Hollywood Boulevard has been evacuated and 100,000 people have been told to flee as six wildfires rage as Los Angeles’ apocalyptic skies continue to fill with smoke.
Two new fires broke out overnight in the Hollywood Hills and Studio City, forcing emergency responders to redeploy their already scarce resources to the burned landscape.
The National Guard has been deployed and could send military personnel to help, amid revelations that hero firefighters are “triaging” homes and neighborhoods.
The LA Fire Department issued an evacuation order for people in an area within Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west – all iconic addresses in showbiz.
The latest fires have burned vast swaths of iconic real estate in Southern California, from Malibu to Santa Monica, and from Pacific Palisades to Runyon Canyon, impacting millions of people who have been overwhelmed by the unprecedented spread and massacre.
So far, at least five people have been killed in the disaster – which destroyed 2,000 structures and left thousands of people in the city with nothing but ash.
More than 130,000 people are under evacuation orders, while Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who said they had lost homes. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years in the Palisades Fire.