In a startling twist to the Pacific Palisades fire narrative, newly surfaced video footage is casting doubt on the official story behind the catastrophic blaze that claimed 12 lives and razed over 6,800 structures. This evidence suggests that the fire, which erupted into one of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history, may have been smoldering unnoticed for days, despite multiple 911 alerts from alarmed hikers.

The video, recorded on January 2nd at 11:30 a.m., shows smoke wafting from the brush in the Pacific Palisades—five days before the fire dramatically flared up again on January 7th. This contradicts federal authorities’ assertions that the initial fire, thought to be fully extinguished after New Year’s Day, left behind embers that quietly burned beneath thick vegetation, escaping detection.

The narrative from officials centers on Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of deliberately setting the blaze on January 1st. Firefighters responded swiftly, extinguishing what was labeled the Lachman Fire. Yet, the newly emerged footage depicts a different reality, capturing the fire still smoldering 36 hours after being declared out, with not a single firefighter or hose in sight.