An aerial photograph depicting a fire-ravaged neighborhood, with most structures reduced to rubble and ash, has been circulated with the claim that during recent California fires, all buildings were destroyed except for a mosque that remained unharmed. This claim, however, is inaccurate. The image actually captures the aftermath of the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, which devastated the historic town on western Maui. The sole surviving house, which has a red roof and white walls, belongs to Trip Millikin. It is not a mosque or any religious site.
Sharing the image on X (Formerly Twitter) @Dr_Moubaraq wrote, “Allahu-Akbar As reported. The fire that broke out in Los Angeles was saved from the house that was used to learn the holy Qur’an and recites it the fire went through the sides of the all other houses nearly. It’s a great [Ayah] to the whole world both believers and unbelievers.”
Allahu-Akbar 🥹
— dr_moubaraq💉 (@Dr_Moubaraq) January 12, 2025
As reported: The fire that broke out in Los Angeles was saved from the house that was used to learn the holy qur'an and recites it the fire went through the sides of the all other house nearly. It's a great [Ayah] to the whole world both believers and unbelievers. pic.twitter.com/sEeRO6GP6O
Several other users and Influencers have also shared the image and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @saifmansoor124, @farhan_OM1
The truth about the viral image shared as California fires, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the image and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the image. We found that the image was not from the recent wildfires in California but an old photo from Lahaina, Hawaii.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to several media reports containing the same image. According to the media reports (1, 2), this image actually captures the aftermath of the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, which devastated the historic town on western Maui. The sole surviving house with a red roof and white walls belongs to Trip Millikin and is not a mosque or any religious site.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the image was old and unrelated to the California fire and any religious structure.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 13, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: An image showing an aerial view of a neighborhood devastated by fire, where most buildings are reduced to rubble & ash except for one intact house with a red roof and white walls, has been shared with the claim that during recent wildfires (1/3) pic.twitter.com/8c9RXxvS69
Intent
Influencers are circulating old images from different locations with misleading claims to set their narrative based on religion over the recent fire in California.
Conclusion
Claim-A Mosque survived the wildfires in California.
Fact– This is an old image from Lahaina, Hawaii where a house survived devastating wildfires in August 2023.
Related Article: Fact Check: Old video of Controlled burn falsely linked to the recent wildfires in California – D-Intent Data
