NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man was taken into custody overnight after he allegedly set a Christmas tree on fire outside the Fox News building in Midtown, according to the officials.
Just after midnight on Wednesday, FDNY units responded to a report of a rubbish fire.
Upon arrival, fire officials discovered the 50-foot tree located outside of the Sixth Avenue building had been set ablaze.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the tree's heavy flames which had also spread to smaller decorated trees surrounding the display.
The building's security spotted a man climbing the tree and he was quickly taken into custody by police.
Officials later identified the suspect as 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha, who is homeless and has a last known address in Brooklyn.
Tamanaha was charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, arson, criminal nuisance, endangering others, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, and disorderly conduct and is expected to appear in court later today
Authorities are investigating the motive for setting the tree on fire but police say Tamanaha had a lighter in his possession and appears to have acted alone.