Watan–Amid intense efforts by firefighters in the United States to extinguish the Los Angeles wildfires, a widespread debate erupted on social media over a widely circulated image, purportedly showing a Quran teaching center that survived the fires while the surrounding buildings were consumed by flames.
The image, which spread rapidly, showed a single house untouched by the fire, a scene that astonished many, especially given the accompanying claims that it was a religious center. Some viewed this as a spiritual sign, while others questioned the image’s authenticity and origin.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the image is neither recent nor related to the Los Angeles wildfires. It dates back to 2023 and was taken on the Hawaiian island of Lahaina, which experienced catastrophic fires at the time. Local sources confirmed that the building shown in the image was not a religious center but an old house that survived the flames due to specific engineering factors, including a metal roof and a gravel barrier surrounding it, which prevented the fire from reaching it.
Meanwhile, the wildfires in Los Angeles continue to spread, now affecting new areas that were previously not at risk. The disaster has caused widespread destruction, including thousands of homes and vast tracts of agricultural land, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and bolster firefighting efforts with additional aircraft and equipment.
The spread of this image highlights the growing issue of fake and misleading news online, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it. While many users shared the image in good faith, the reality underscores the need to rely on trustworthy sources for accurate updates on the ongoing wildfires in California.
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