NEW YORK — Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott promised Wednesday that a new Christmas tree would be installed after a man was arrested for allegedly setting their "All-American" tree on fire outside of their headquarters in Midtown.
"We will not let this deliberate and brazen act of cowardice deter us. We are in the process of rebuilding and installing a new tree as a message that there can be peace, light and joy even during a dark moment like this," Scott said. "We are currently planning on a lighting ceremony for the new tree and will send those details once we have them."
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.
Scott thanked first responders for their efforts to combat the blaze and for the arrest of the accused arsonist.
"We are very grateful to the FDNY which quickly mobilized to extinguish the fire and the NYPD which apprehended the criminal on site," she added.
Officials 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.
On Wednesday morning, a cleanup crew washed down the plaza outside Fox headquarters as another crew in a cherry picker dismantled the charred tree.
The tree was just lit in ceremonies on Sunday. It featured 10,000 red, white and blue ornaments and 100,000 twinkling lights.