FACT CHECK: Video Of Man Saving A Rabbit From Los Angeles Fire Taken In 2017, Not 2025
A video shared on Instagram allegedly shows a man saving a rabbit from a fire in Los Angeles in 2025.
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Verdict: False
The video was taken during a fire in Los Angeles in 2017.
Fact Check:
Wildfires in Southern California have killed at least 25 people as police have made several arrests, accusing suspects of setting small fires, according to AP News. Missing people total almost 30, but search crews are covering a lot of area, the outlet reported.
An Instagram video purports to show a man chasing after a small rabbit, both heading in the direction of flames, allegedly taken during the recent Los Angeles fires. The man is eventually able to bend down and scoop the rabbit up.
Posted on Jan. 8, the post reads, in part, “In the midst of the raging wildfires in Los Angeles, moments of courage and compassion shine through the chaos. This moment captures a man risking everything to save a small, innocent life: a bunny caught in the inferno. The flames may threaten everything in their path, but this act of kindness reminds us of the strength of the human spirit even in the darkest times.”
This video is miscaptioned, however. The clip was originally shared to X by NBC News in December 2017, which reveals that the video was actually taken in Los Angeles, albeit several years ago. (RELATED: Facebook Image Does Not Show Recent California Fires, Is From 2018)
Witnesses saw this man pull over and rescue a rabbit from the LA wildfires. pic.twitter.com/v9EYpcmK9M
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 7, 2017
The fire seen in the video, the Thomas fire, started Dec. 4, 2017 and went on to be named the largest in California’s history on Dec. 23, 2017, according to CNN. The fire eventually burned 281,893 acres and wasn’t 100% contained until Jan. 12, 2018, the outlet reported.
