NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A new tree is set to replace the Christmas tree outside of the News Corp. building, which houses Fox News and The New York Post, that was set ablaze on Wednesday, according to a report.
The new Christmas tree is expected to be relit around 5 p.m. on Thursday, WABC-7 reports after the 50-foot Christmas tree at the intersection of West 48th Street and 6th Avenue was set on fire by 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha who was arrested on the scene.
According to officials, Tamanaha climbed up the tree's metal structure and stuffed newspapers into open spaces, and then set them on fire with a lighter.
Tamanaha was charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, arson, criminal nuisance, endangering others, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, and disorderly conduct.
He was arraigned on supervised release and is supposed report to a designated person who will report back to the court.
"I have been thinking about lighting the tree on fire all day," Tamanaha told police, a criminal complaint said.
The damage was estimated to be around $500,000.
