No, this viral tweet doesn't show a migrant setting fire to a London bus

Don't believe what you see.

Fake news stories often target migrants or refugees in an attempt to carry out a far-right political agenda.

Take for example this tweet purportedly showing an immigrant in London setting fire to a bus and then walking away:

The footage is quite appalling so it's no surprise it went viral among hardline rightwing supporters on Twitter, who exchanged tweets on how Britain needs to get rid of migrants or Muslims:

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There is a problem with the video in the tweet though: it's fake news.

The video conflates two separate incidents, one from Erdington, Birmingham and the other one from Lewisham, London.

The first part of the video shows CCTV footage of a 15-year-old from Birmingham at the rear seat of the upper deck of a local bus as he set fire to newspaper and then flees. The incident is from March 2015:

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The second part depicts the moment a double-decker bus in Lewisham, South London burst into flames, in March 2016. A 13-year-old later admitted arson:

The footage in the fake news tweet is from a different perspective, but you can still see the CarpetRight store:

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Here's the view on Google Maps:

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

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