× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Despite what social media would have you believe, a Bartlesville man did not accidentally burn his house down trying to protest a recent Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick.

A story about the alleged house fire began trending on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday, but Bartlesville Police Capt. Jay Hastings assures the far-fetched tale is a hoax.

"I know nothing of any such crime," Hastings said.

A link to the story contains a URL address resembling USA Today's, but it does not take readers to the internationally distributed newspaper's website.

According to the fake story, 26-year-old Bartlesville man Jason Helms soaked a pair of Nike sneakers in kerosene in his garage before lighting them on fire and filming the act.

"The fire ended up spreading to the garage walls and ceiling before spreading to his actual home," the story reads. "Helms called 911 but by the time firefighters arrived they were unable to save his home."