The Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Oakland's Jack London Square is still on after the 55-foot Mt. Shasta fir was set on fire and extinguished early Monday morning.
The Oakland Fire Department said on Monday that the tree was set on fire overnight, and arson investigators are looking into the cause. Investigators are looking for at least one suspect, according to the department.
Engine 2 "quickly" responded to the scene and contained the fire early Monday, the department said. The engine is based out of Station 2, which is located within one-tenth of a mile of the tree. Organizers have measured the tree at 55 feet, 3 feet taller than the height the fire department listed in a Monday afternoon tweet.
Michael Hunt, a spokesperson with the Oakland Fire Department, told multiple outlets on Monday that investigators found an aerosol can near the tree, which is believed to have sparked the fire. He estimated that between 10% and 15% of the tree was damaged.
Hunt didn't respond to KCBS Radio's request for comment prior to publication.
The Oakland Fire Department tweeted that organizers are still planning to hold the tree-lighting on Dec. 11, just five days after it was set on fire. The in-person event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, exactly one year after organizers held a virtual ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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