Henry Winkler, the beloved actor known for his role as the iconic Fonzie on Happy Days, lost his cool in a big way when he posted a fiery message on social media about the wildfires tearing through Los Angeles.
His post quickly sparked a huge online conversation and even led officials to step in to clear up the confusion before things got out of hand.
It all started just two days after wildfires, some of the most dangerous in North America, began ravaging LA, fueled by strong winds. Henry, who lives in Brentwood, an upscale area of LA, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustration. He was heartbroken over the destruction caused by the flames, but he was also furious.
“There is an arsonist here in LA,” Winkler, now 79, wrote. “May you be beaten beyond recognition!!! The pain you have caused!!!”
The post, which quickly went viral, was seen by over 7 million people. Fans flooded the comments section, many of them agreeing with Winkler’s fiery statement.
THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA . May you be beaten you unrecognizable !!! The pain you have caused !!!
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) January 9, 2025
One commenter wrote, “I was wondering about this… because no one has said how it started.” Another person suggested, “Probably multiple arsonists.” A third user chimed in with their own theory: “Agreed. I’ve always suspected this, and I have my own theories about who’s behind it. Some people are just envious of California.”
As the post spread like wildfire (pun intended), others joined in, asking deeper questions. “Is this a single arsonist or an organized group? There are multiple fires breaking out… it’s entirely possible this is a coordinated effort.”
But not everyone was on board with Winkler’s accusation. Some users didn’t hold back in criticizing him. “Henry, you used to be cool; now you’re just whining,” one person wrote. Another commenter warned, “Here come the conspiracy theories.” Someone else, clearly upset with Winkler’s known political views, added, “Nice to see you finally upset about something other than Trump.”
Officials Step In to Clear Up the Confusion
Winkler’s post didn’t just stir up online debates—it also got the attention of the authorities, who quickly moved to clear up the confusion.
In a statement to TMZ, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said, “There’s no way to determine at this moment exactly where or how the fires started, but an investigation is underway.”
They made it clear that investigating large fires is a routine part of the process, even though the word “arson” might sound alarming. California Fire Chief David Acuna also spoke to the BBC, saying, “There is no conclusive evidence to suggest the fires were deliberately started.”
The Debate Continues
Even though there was no solid proof, Winkler’s bold post only seemed to fan the flames of speculation. Many people continued to debate the possibility that the fires were intentionally set.
Adding to the controversy, Stanford University neurobiology professor Andrew Huberman jumped into the conversation. He shared a shocking video in the comments of Winkler’s post. Huberman claimed that he had personally witnessed people setting fires in otherwise safe parts of LA.
“People are lighting fires in urban areas of LA. I saw this happen firsthand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica,” he wrote. “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.”
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
Huberman’s post gained huge traction, reaching more than 10 million views. Even Elon Musk couldn’t resist commenting on the drama, simply replying, “WOW.”
Still No Official Cause
The fires, including the destructive Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, have caused immense damage. The wildfires have already claimed 24 lives, and their exact cause is still under investigation.
Authorities continue to work on finding out what sparked these massive blazes, but as of now, no one knows for sure. Is it the work of an arsonist? Or could there be another explanation? The speculation continues.
What do you think? Was Henry Winkler right to point fingers at an arsonist, or are people jumping to conclusions without enough evidence? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
