Topline
A 49-year-old homeless man has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire early Wednesday morning to the large Christmas tree outside the News Corp. headquarters, home to Fox News, New York Post and Wall Street Journal, according to reports.
Police stand outside Fox News headquarters as the Christmas tree is disassembled in Midtown … [+] Manhattan on Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key Facts
No injuries were reported after the fire was started around 12:15 a.m. at Fox Square, the plaza outside the building in Midtown Manhattan.
Dramatic footage posted to social media shows the 50-foot tree engulfed in flames before being extinguished by first responders.
According to New York ABC affiliate WABC, police have identified Craig Tamanaha, 49, as the suspect, and have charged him on eight counts including arson and disorderly conduct.
Police said he acted alone and that his motive was unclear but that they were looking into whether mental illness was a factor, WABC reported.
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott described the incident as a “malicious arson attack” in a memo to the company, and confirmed they were planning to rebuild the tree.
Key Background
The tree had been lit during a third annual “All-American Christmas” ceremony broadcast on Fox News on Sunday. It took 21 hours to assemble and had 10,000 glass ornaments and 100,000 lights, according to Fox.
Further Reading
“Fox News Christmas tree set on fire in Midtown Manhattan” (WABC)
“Christmas tree set on fire outside Fox News; man in custody: NYPD” (PIX11)
“Man in custody after Christmas tree outside Fox News building set on fire, police say” (NBC News)
“Fox Christmas Tree Catches Fire in New York City” (New York Times)
“Man Held As Fox News’ Giant Christmas Tree Goes Up In Flames” (HuffPost)
“Video of Fox News Christmas Tree Fire Shows it Engulfed in Flames Outside HQ” (Newsweek)
