A video showing a decorative Christmas tree burning went viral on social media claiming it was from the UK. Sharing the video, users claimed that Muslims in the UK burnt the Christmas tree.
However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was misleading. Here’s the fact check.
Fact Check
We started our investigation by taking screenshots from the viral video and conducting a reverse image search. This led us to a report published in The New York Post on December 31, 2024, that contained a similar video. According to the report, the video is from a shopping centre in Chengdu, China. The Christmas tree caught fire and the mall staff quickly extinguished the blaze.
Taking this clue, we conducted a relevant keyword search in Chinese. This led us to a report published in a Chinese media outlet on 29 December 2024. According to the report, the investigation results of the fire at the giant Christmas tree in Chengdu were released. The cause of the fire was a short circuit in the electrical wiring.
Please read here.
Other reports can be read here and here.
This makes it clear that the viral video is old and from China.
Conclusion
From our investigation, we can say that the claim is misleading. The Christmas tree was not burnt by the Muslims in the UK. This is an old video from China. According to reports, a giant Christmas tree in a shopping centre in Chengdu, China, caught fire due to a short circuit in the electrical wiring in December 2024.
Title:Old Video Of A Burning Christmas Tree In China Shared As Muslims Burning It In The UK.
Fact Check By: Debanjana baishyaResult: Misleading
