NYPD confirms a man is in custody after the Christmas tree outside Fox News building in midtown Manhattan was set on fire after midnight. NBC New York’s Tracie Strahan reports.
BREAKING UPDATE: Suspect Identified in 'Malicious Arson Attack' on FOX News Christmas Tree in Midtown Manhattan
New York City first responders extinguished a huge Christmas tree fire outside the Fox News building in midtown Manhattan early Wednesday.
Videos posted by witnesses to the Citizen App show thick clouds of black smoke coming from the tree after police say someone allegedly lit the tree located on West 48th Street and 6th Avenue on fire. A News 4 employee witnessed NYPD officers apprehending a suspect near the tree after midnight.
A police department spokesperson confirmed a 49-year-old man was in custody but investigators couldn't confirm an incendiary device was used. A light was removed from the suspect, though it's also unclear whether it was used.
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Police say the man acted alone and the incident didn't appear to be premeditated or politically motivated. Charges against him are pending.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
Local
The News Corp. building on Avenue of the Americas just celebrated the Christmas tree on Sunday. It's filled with 10,000 glass ornaments, 100,000 lights and it took over 21 hours to put together. Crews were later seen taking down what was left of the tree.
