The tragic fire incident caused first responders to rush to save Midtown Manhattan at Fox News Square. The 50-foot Christmas tree consists of about 10,000 glass ornaments and 100,000 lights. Fox News reported someone had lit the tree on fire Wednesday, December 8th.

A 49-year-old homeless man, Craig Tamanaha, was seen by the Fox News Channel security climbing the tree, lighting pieces of paper on fire, and shoving them into the tree. The suspect later was caught when police found a lighter on Tamanaha, but he now faces charges for criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and arson. Thankfully the fire did not cause any injuries to others and only the Christmas tree. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott wrote a brief update and thanked whoever helped regarding the sudden unexpected fire occurrence.

Fox News Channel’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony has been a tradition for three years now. Every year during the holiday, Fox News air an “All-American Christmas” special. The lit Christmas tree has always cheered up and uplifted the employees at Fox News, so it is disheartening to see the tree destroyed. However, Scott reassured everyone the tree would be replaced with a brand new one to bring back the Christmas spirit.

Noted it is not the first time Craig Tamanaha has committed a crime, according to police, including a history of drug-related offenses, low-level out-of-state arrests, criminal nuisance, trespassing, tampering, and disorderly conduct. NYPD is still trying to figure out what Tamanaha’s motive was, which many are thinking he struggles with mental issues.