Twisted Titan
16th December 2010, 12:27 PM
Tis the season..........
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301474#ixzz18IBqoSln
The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but in Birmingham, Alabama, the culprits were copper thieves in a bungled theft that set the city Christmas tree on fire in downtown's Linn Park on Wednesday.
Police are investigating the early morning incident where copper thieves struck this week.
Authorities say that the crooks first took decorations and lights off the holiday display and then using gasoline, they tried to separate the plastic from the copper, resulting in the apparent accidental tree torching, according to the Birmingham News.
Birmingham Parks and Recreation officials said the attempted copper theft in Linn Park took place about 4:00 am, reports WAFF. The 35-foot tall Norwegian Spruce came from North Carolina and cost more then $7000 to erect and decorate for the holiday season.
Melvin Miller, city parks and recreation director, said this is the first time there has been any major damage to the display.
"It's not good. It kind of dampens the seasons, but we still know what this season is all about. It's not about a tree," Miller said. "This is the first time that has ever happened. We've had ornaments taken from the tree but nothing like this."
The city announced they had no plans to replace the tree and hauled the charred remains away Wednesday afternoon.
After hearing about the torched holiday tree, radio station 98.7 KISS FM acted quickly to help remedy the situation. They purchased a 32-foot Leyland Cypress from a tree farm in Tarrant to replace the old tree and had it delivered by late afternoon. They then purchased lights and ornaments to completely decorate the evergreen, according to FOX MyAlabama News.
Several local agencies and surrounding municipalities also pitched in by donating decorations for the new tree. City officials are grateful for how kind and giving everyone has been.
Mayor William Bell said, "It's very important that everyone realize that that's not city hall's tree that was burned. That was the city's tree we all are sharing that concern."
Danielle Baskin said, "That's awesome. I'm just excited that we are going to put a new tree out. It definitely adds an extra sparkle to the city of Birmingham."
The new tree will be put up and decorated Thursday, a spokesman told Alabama.com. An official ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday when representatives from five other cities, businesses, schools and civic groups are expected to gather. 98.7 is inviting everyone to come out and bring an ornament to put on the new tree. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
The police have no suspects in the fire that destroyed the tree and are asking for help from the public in solving this crime.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301474#ixzz18IwcJXq2
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301474#ixzz18IBqoSln
The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but in Birmingham, Alabama, the culprits were copper thieves in a bungled theft that set the city Christmas tree on fire in downtown's Linn Park on Wednesday.
Police are investigating the early morning incident where copper thieves struck this week.
Authorities say that the crooks first took decorations and lights off the holiday display and then using gasoline, they tried to separate the plastic from the copper, resulting in the apparent accidental tree torching, according to the Birmingham News.
Birmingham Parks and Recreation officials said the attempted copper theft in Linn Park took place about 4:00 am, reports WAFF. The 35-foot tall Norwegian Spruce came from North Carolina and cost more then $7000 to erect and decorate for the holiday season.
Melvin Miller, city parks and recreation director, said this is the first time there has been any major damage to the display.
"It's not good. It kind of dampens the seasons, but we still know what this season is all about. It's not about a tree," Miller said. "This is the first time that has ever happened. We've had ornaments taken from the tree but nothing like this."
The city announced they had no plans to replace the tree and hauled the charred remains away Wednesday afternoon.
After hearing about the torched holiday tree, radio station 98.7 KISS FM acted quickly to help remedy the situation. They purchased a 32-foot Leyland Cypress from a tree farm in Tarrant to replace the old tree and had it delivered by late afternoon. They then purchased lights and ornaments to completely decorate the evergreen, according to FOX MyAlabama News.
Several local agencies and surrounding municipalities also pitched in by donating decorations for the new tree. City officials are grateful for how kind and giving everyone has been.
Mayor William Bell said, "It's very important that everyone realize that that's not city hall's tree that was burned. That was the city's tree we all are sharing that concern."
Danielle Baskin said, "That's awesome. I'm just excited that we are going to put a new tree out. It definitely adds an extra sparkle to the city of Birmingham."
The new tree will be put up and decorated Thursday, a spokesman told Alabama.com. An official ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday when representatives from five other cities, businesses, schools and civic groups are expected to gather. 98.7 is inviting everyone to come out and bring an ornament to put on the new tree. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
The police have no suspects in the fire that destroyed the tree and are asking for help from the public in solving this crime.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301474#ixzz18IwcJXq2