NEW YORK – A man suspected of having deliberately set fire to the giant Christmas tree which stands in front of the headquarters of the American television channel Fox News was arrested this Wednesday, December 8 by the New York police.
The 49-year-old individual is now being prosecuted for “arson” after being caught in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, around midnight, climbing the structure supporting this illuminated 15-meter-high tree installed in front of the building. the conservative American chain, in the heart of Manhattan.
This tree was then set ablaze, as shown in impressive television footage from last night.
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The NYPD has arrested a man who they say climbed a Christmas tree outside Fox News’ headquarters and set it on fire. The blaze has since been extinguished and no one was hurt. pic.twitter.com/iyh4otgKtS
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 8, 2021
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Fox News will erect a new tree
The arrested man had a “lighter” on him but police are uncertain whether he used any “catalyst” to start the blaze, the cause of which will be determined by New York firefighters, according to the NYPD.
The fire was quickly brought under control and no one was injured.
The suspect’s motive has not yet been identified, but Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott in a statement denounced a “malicious attack by arson.”
Criticizing a “deliberate, brazen and cowardly act”, the head of the large conservative American television station promised that a new tree would be erected shortly in the same place, at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 48th Street, as ” a message of peace, light and joy, even in a (also) dark moment ”.
According to Fox News, the 15-meter-tall tree was “decorated with some 10,000 glass ornaments and 100,000 small lights.”
The spectacular fire occurred a few blocks from another giant Christmas tree lit up since early December in front of Rockefeller Center, one of New York’s tourist attractions for the holiday season.
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