Temu Warehouse Fire in China: Viral Photo Confirmed as Fake

A viral post recently claimed that a massive fire engulfed a 57,000 sq. ft. Temu warehouse in China, destroying inventory worth $56.19. This post, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by an account named Thrilla the Gorilla on December 30, included a photo of a single-story industrial building with the word “Temu” emblazoned on it, engulfed in flames. The tweet quickly gained traction, amassing over 7 million views and more than 13,000 reposts.

Despite its rapid spread, the claim has been debunked as false. Thrilla the Gorilla’s X bio provides a clear disclaimer:

“This ENTIRE account is 100% fiction except for the parts that aren’t. Don’t take anything I say seriously.”

Adding to the confusion, another X account, Norris Cole – The Kabin Coronation Street, posted the same image on December 30, but with a slightly different claim—the loss was pegged at $53.29 instead. This account, like Thrilla the Gorilla, openly identifies as a satire and sarcasm platform in its bio.

A 570,000 square meter Temu warehouse in China went up in flames today. The total loss of inventory has been estimated to be as high as $53.29 USD. pic.twitter.com/1gNueQDXLq

— Norris Cole – The Kabin Coronation Street (@Pete20221) December 30, 2024

Evidence of the Hoax

Several inconsistencies and digital markers point to the fabrication of the image. Firstly, the photo features a watermark from Grok, an AI chatbot developed by X for generating content. When analyzed using AI detection tools, the image showed a 99% likelihood of being AI-generated.

Secondly, the Temu logo in the picture doesn’t match the company’s actual branding. The legitimate logo incorporates four distinct icons: a dress, a rocking pony, a stiletto, and a shopping bag. In contrast, the logo in the viral image is distorted and includes an unfamiliar text, “TEHU,” next to the supposed brand name.

Temu’s Status Remains Unaffected

There is no evidence of a fire at any Temu warehouse. Founded in September 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts, Temu operates under the ownership of the Chinese firm PDD Holdings, formerly Pinduoduo. The platform has experienced remarkable success, becoming the most downloaded app in the U.S. in 2024, according to reports from December. Apple has also confirmed Temu’s status as the most downloaded iPhone app of the year.

This viral incident underscores the prevalence of misinformation online, often amplified by the capabilities of AI-generated content. It serves as a reminder to verify sources and details before accepting such claims as true.

• Also read: VIDEO: New Orleans Building Collapse: Two Cars Damaged, Power Outages, and Ongoing Investigation

Shivam Kumar

Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....