Fox News unveils fireproof Christmas tree after last year’s was set on fire

Fox News lit an enormous fireproof Christmas tree on Monday evening after last year’s was set ablaze by a homeless arsonist.

Standing 50 feet tall, the tree was unveiled at Fox Square in New York City. The lighting ceremony was hosted by Greg Gutfeld, Judge Jeanine Pirro, Dana Perino, Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters, according to the network.

The new tree is reportedly made of “fireproof metal,” reports the New York Post, a precaution taken in response to an attack on the Fox News Christmas tree last year.

In early December 2021, 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha set fire to the tree outside the Midtown building that houses Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

Tamanaha, who was homeless and known to loiter in the area, told a detective after his arrest that “I have been thinking about lighting the tree on fire all day long.”

The vagrant was charged with several misdemeanors related to the burning of the tree, including arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing, but released without bail because he was “not charged with a bail-eligible offense.” Under New York law, arson is only a felony if there is intent to harm a person or commit a hate crime.

The blaze caused an estimated $500,000 worth of damage.

Fox News honored the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and NYPD at the Monday ceremony. First responders were among the guests, including members from NYPD’s Precinct 32, who lose two detectives during a domestic violence call in January, and EMS station 49, who lost EMS captain Alison Russo in September in an unprovoked stabbing.

Towering Christmas trees are a holiday staple of the Big Apple, the most famous being the one at Rockefeller Center. That one was erected last week and is scheduled to be lit on Nov. 30.