Video of Fox News Christmas Tree Fire Shows it Engulfed in Flames Outside HQ

A clip showing the Christmas Tree outside Fox News' office in New York engulfed in flames following a suspected arson attack has gone viral.

The so-called "All-American Christmas Tree" at Fox Square in Manhattan caught fire in the early hours on Wednesday morning.

A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that a 49-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection to the blaze after he was seen by Fox News security climbing the tree outside their office building on the corner of West 48 Street and Sixth Avenue.

A clip of the tree in flames was shared by the RawsAlerts Twitter account, where it has since been viewed more than 700,000 times.

Fox News host Shannon Bream also reported on the fire live during a broadcast of Fox News @ Night.

"It appears crews are there on the scene," Bream said: "You can see the smoke and aftermath. They're trying to get that under control. We're gonna keep you posted.

"It is a large, beautiful, highly decorated tree right there on the Avenue of the Americas, Sixth Avenue there in New York City, but our thanks to the crew who look like they've got that thing under control."

Later on in the show, Bream added: "This is our All-American Christmas tree. The fire appears to be out for now. Moments ago you could see it was engulfed in flames. No word of any injuries there.

"We saw the crews there bravely fighting through this. They have gotten this under control. Looks like the fire is out for now.

"But we're gonna monitor the situation, try to find out what sparked this whole thing. But for now, it looks like everybody is safe and sound. The fire is out."

The lights on the Christmas tree outside Fox's offices were only switched on Sunday evening. The 50-feet high tree features 10,000 glass ornaments, 100,000 lights and took over 21 hours to assemble.

The NYPD said the suspect was seen climbing the tree at around 00:14 a.m. on Wednesday before the fire broke out.

"Upon arrival, officers observed the male running from the location and he was taken into custody," a NYPD spokesperson told Newsweek.

"The fire within the tree was extinguished without further injury or incident by responding FDNY personnel. The male suspect was removed to the Midtown North Precinct where he will be processed."

Police said they do not know if an accelerant was used to start the fire and the investigation remains ongoing.

"We are very grateful to the FDNY which quickly mobilized to extinguish the fire and the NYPD which apprehended the criminal on site, who has since been charged with arson, among multiple other crimes. Our security team also did a great job responding to the incident immediately," FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said in an internal memo seen by Newsweek.

"This has become a new wonderful tradition on FOX Square over the last three years. 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 continued, adding that there will be a lighting ceremony for the new tree.

Update (12/8, 6:00 p.m.): This article has been updated to include comment from FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott.