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California Wildfires: Statue of biblical Mary remains standing amid charred ruins
- A family in California lost their entire house to a devastating fire, but their statue of biblical Mary remained untouched
- It stood in near perfect condition, surrounded by charred debris of what had been their home of 37 years
- “It’s the most interesting and peculiar phenomena that only God understands,” read one of the comments
Amid the devastating wildfires that scorched southern California, a remarkable symbol of hope and faith emerged from the ashes of a California family’s home—a statue of biblical Mary.

California Wildfires: Statue of Biblical Mary Remains Standing Amid Charred Ruins Source: Facebook
In a video that has gone viral on Instagram, the statue remained standing, nearly unscathed, surrounded by smouldering ruins.
It all started when the Halpins’ home of 37 years was reduced to rubble by the destructive Eaton Fire.
Peter Halpin, the family patriarch, shared the emotional story during a media interview, describing the miraculous sight.
“It was remarkable how everything had gotten fried, but the statue of Mary and another of Saint Joseph were in perfect condition,” he said.
However, their unwavering faith led them back to the site last week, despite restrictions from the government.
Surrounded by their six children and other loved ones, the family sang a hymn to the statue, captured in a heartfelt video that has since gone viral on Instagram.
“Our intention was not for this thing to go viral at all,” Peter noted. “It was pretty much just a family thing, but the response from the community has been unbelievable and so heartfelt.”
Peter’s wife, Jackie, recounted her reaction to discovering the statues still standing.
Her son-in-law had visited the site the day before and snapped a photo of the Mary statue, inspiring the family to make their pilgrimage.
“I fell to my knees,” Jackie said. “I knew we had to go there to thank God for the years we spent in that home.”
The family, deeply rooted in their faith, dedicated their home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus years ago, with Jackie sharing her gratitude for the life they built in the house.
“We have entertained a lot for years. We feel very strongly about the virtue of hospitality, so I just wanted to pray and say, ‘If we can do it again, that would be great.’”
Malibu home untouched by LA wildfires
In an almost similar story, a stunning photo of a lone Malibu mansion standing intact while neighbouring homes lay in ruins went viral online.
The house was photographed in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires which have continued to rage for days.
Details indicate that the $8 million (KSh 1 billion) mansion, built in 2000, is owned by waste management CEO David Steiner.
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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.
Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.
The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.
The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.
During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos
Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.
According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.
He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.
“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.
The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said
The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.
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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion
A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.
The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.
“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.
The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.
The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.
Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.
A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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