The Christmas tree at Fox Square in New York City was engulfed in flames just after midnight Wednesday.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and put out the blaze, Fox News host Shannon Bream reported on her show Fox News @ Night.
“The fire appears to be out for now. Moments ago, you could see, it was engulfed in flames. No word of any injuries there. We saw the crews there bravely fighting through this,” she said.
A male suspect, identified as 49-year-old Brooklyn native Craig Tamanaha, was taken into custody and charged with crimes including arson, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and trespassing, according to the New York City Police Department. Police said he had a lighter at the time of the arrest but are not yet clear on how the blaze was started, though fire marshals deemed it to be intentional, the local NBC affiliate reported.
The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in property damage, police said.
.@ShannonBream offers an update on the Fox News Christmas tree, which caught fire earlier tonight: “The fire appears to be out for now. Moments ago, you could see it was engulfed in flames. No word of any injuries there. We saw the crews there, bravely fighting through this.” pic.twitter.com/Zs5ZUV3cMm
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 8, 2021
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott released a companywide memo addressing what she called a “malicious arson attack.” She said no one was injured and thanked first responders.
“We will not let this deliberate and brazen act of cowardice deter us. We are in the process of rebuilding and installing a new tree as a message that there can be peace, light and joy even during a dark moment like this,” Scott said.
Fox Nation had celebrated the third annual All-American Christmas tree lighting at Fox Square, which is outside Fox headquarters, on Sunday.
“The red, white, and blue-themed tree measures 50 feet high filled with 10,000 glass ornaments, 100,000 lights and took over 21 hours to assemble,” Fox News reported.
Scott ended her memo by saying the company is planning on having a lighting ceremony for the replacement tree.
