A video has been shared online with the false claim that it shows individuals looting and breaking into homes during the California wildfires. In reality, the video actually depicts residents from houses evacuating their belongings, not criminals. The residents, interviewed by KTLA, confirmed they were being assisted by friends and family during the evacuation process. While there have been reports of looting, and some arrests have been made by law enforcement, this specific video is unrelated to any criminal activity. It simply shows residents taking precautions and leaving their homes for safety.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) @alexharmstrong wrote, “Who raises the kind of people the rob and loot homes during a natural disaster?”
Who raises the kind of people the rob and loot homes during a natural disaster? pic.twitter.com/bXhUEwi1by
— Alex Armstrong (@alexharmstrong) January 10, 2025
Another account @4cupss also disseminated the video and wrote, “People are actively looting and breaking into homes during the worst natural disaster in the history of California”. Later, he deleted the post.
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @TheRISEofROD, @JIX5A, @KreatelyMedia, @LangmanVince.
The truth about the video, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. Our findings revealed that the video was unrelated to theft or looting.
To verify the users’ claims, we conducted relevant keyword searches and discovered live coverage by KTLA. According to KTLA’s reporting, the visuals actually depict residents evacuating their belongings from their homes, not thieves or robbers. Residents from house number 161, interviewed by KTLA, confirmed they were being helped by friends during the evacuation. At the 4:46:20 timestamp, we noticed that the same individuals, who were seen in the viral video, were being interviewed by KTLA reporters in front of house number 161.
The residents of house number 161, interviewed by KTLA, confirmed that they were being assisted by friends during the evacuation. However, there have been reports of looting and theft, with several arrests made by the police, but this particular video is unrelated to any criminal activity.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the video was unrelated to theft and looting.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 10, 2025
ANALYSIS: Unsubstantiated
FACT: A video showing individuals carrying sacks & evacuating goods has been shared with the false claim that people are looting & breaking into houses during the California wildfires. These visuals show residents evacuating their belongings (1/3) pic.twitter.com/lACkaOuNAJ
Intent
Influencers are sharing videos of the devastating California wildfires, accompanied by misleading claims, to gain attention on social media.
Conclusion
Claim– People are actively looting and breaking into homes during the devastating California wildfires.
Fact– The video actually depicts residents from houses evacuating their belongings.
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