A man suspected of having intentionally set fire to the giant Christmas tree which stands in front of the headquarters of the American television channel Fox News was arrested Wednesday, December 8 by the New York police (NYPD).
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The 49-year-old individual is now being prosecuted for
“arson”
after being caught around midnight (0500 GMT Wednesday) climbing the structure supporting this illuminated 15-meter-high tree installed in front of the building of the American conservative chain , in the heart of Manhattan. This tree was then set ablaze, as seen in impressive television footage from last night. The man arrested had a
"lighter"
on him but police do not know if he used any
"catalyst"
to ignite the fire, which the New York firefighters will have to determine the cause, 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, impudent and cowardly act"
, the head of the large conservative American television channel 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 ”.
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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.