Henry Winkler’s theory that an arsonist is behind the devastating LA wildfires has garnered significant attention.

As those affected by the fires grapple with grief and anger, they seek answers and justice for the immense destruction caused.

On January 8, 2025, the actor, famously known as The Fonz from Happy Days, expressed his suspicions on X, writing, “There is an ARSONIST here in LA. May you be beaten unrecognizable!!! The pain you have caused!!!” His post has been viewed by over 2 million people.

At the time, the LAPD stated, “There’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”

While some dismissed Winkler’s theory as mere speculation, footage that later emerged supported his claims. A viral clip captioned, “People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA,” showed individuals throwing flammable objects into a fire in Santa Monica, California. This video surpassed Winkler’s post with over 6.5 million views.

The clip shows onlookers in shock as the flames grow, threatening nearby trees. A retweet urged, “Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here.”

Unfortunately, some individuals chose to exacerbate the disaster with their actions. “Disgusting. It feels like LA is under attack right now. Fires are everywhere. Stay safe!” wrote one observer.

The fires have destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and landmarks, with a reported death toll of 24.

the wind in LA is INSANE rn… pic.twitter.com/D1dGqChP1b

— Daily Dose of X (@schuld_eth) January 9, 2025

The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the wildfires, though his identity remains undisclosed. According to Fox News, the arrest took place around 4:30 p.m. Thursday near Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Residents spotted a man on a bicycle carrying a torch and attempting to ignite old Christmas trees and garbage cans. They managed to stop and zip-tie him until the police arrived.

The public reacted with outrage to the videos of arsonists, demanding their swift prosecution. “Arrest them all now,” one person wrote. “This feels like a third-world country.”

“Did you get the name of the person you saw lighting the fire? We need to know!” asked another.

“I can’t believe this!” someone else added. “This is so evil.”

On Twitter, users questioned the motives behind the arsonists’ actions. “What’s with these arsonists? What are they trying to achieve?” someone asked, while another remarked, “More than 99% chance there are bad actors going around taking advantage of the chaos.”

The public’s reactions and the viral videos validate Henry Winkler’s suspicion about arsonists contributing to the wildfires.