O Holy lights!
A new Fox News Christmas tree was lit up in Midtown Thursday at a ceremony with Cardinal Timothy Dolan and members of the FDNY and NYPD — just a day after an arsonist set the original tree ablaze.
After a countdown on Fox’s “The Five,” the towering tree was lit on Sixth Avenue and West 48th Street as carolers sang the Christmas song “Deck the Halls” and onlookers cheered.
“Fox really knows how to bounce back don’t we?” commentator Jesse Watters said — adding “We’re thankful for the security team that tackled this [arsonist].”
Dolan spoke shortly before the tree was illumnated at 5 p.m.
“The purpose of this season is that light always conquers darkness,” he said. “We need a little Christmas right this very moment.”
“May all who delight in this tree delight in salvation,” he added.
On Wednesday, Craig Tamanaha, 49, a homeless man known to police for committing a series of low-level crimes, was arrested for allegedly setting the original tree on fire outside the building that houses Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
He was soon released by a judge Thursday due to New York’s lenient bail reform laws.
But workers on Thursday morning quickly reinstalled the metal-framed artificial fir, adorned it with dozens of red and white ornaments and topped it with a large red star.
The new Christmas conifer was triumphantly towering on the tourist-heavy block once again by around noon.
The ceremony on Thursday evening drew dozens of onlookers, some thrilled to spread holiday spirit after the fiery attack.
“It’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year. I don’t know why anyone would do this. What did the tree do to you? It’s Christmas for God’s sake. But I’m happy it’s back and running. And I’m happy to be here witnessing greatness,” said John Branon of New Jersey.
Another observer, Ryan from Hell’s Kitchen, said the tree lighting flies in the face of the arsonist.
“This is an awesome way to fight back. Kill the haters with kindness. In about 24 hours, the tree is up and running,” he said. “You can not ruin God’s creation. Especially around the holiday season.”
Another attendee wondered, “How can someone burn something so beautiful?”
At the ceremony, Fox TV personalities also praised the quick response by fire officials and police, who arrested Tamanaha after he allegedly climbed the tree and used a piece of cardboard to set it ablaze early Wednesday.
“We’re not going to let one guy with a lighter ruin Christmas,” said Fox & Friends anchor and political commentator Steve Doocy.
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said lighting the new tree is “a sign of resilience and hope” in the face of a horrible act.
“A new tree as a message there can be peace, light and joy even during a moment like this,” she said.
The destroyed tree was originally lit during the network’s “All-American” Christmas special on Sunday.