The Timaru Christmas tree has suffered some significant fire damage overnight. Photo: Timaru District Council
Police have charged a man with deliberately setting Timaru's public Christmas tree alight.
A photo posted to social media by the district council shows the scorched side of the 10-metre-tall tree in the Canterbury city's centre surrounded by a melted white picket fence in Caroline Bay Piazza.
Police were called to the Caroline Bay Piazza at about 5.30am on Friday.
Officers arrested a 30-year-old man who is due to appear in court on Friday on charges including arson and possessing a knife in a public place.
The council said the tree has suffered significant fire damage and they would have to remove the tree this year.
It said the tree won't be replaced this year.
"We'll be getting in touch with our insurers and looking into options going ahead," the council said.
The Christmas tree's height includes the star, weighs around 7000kg with the base, and features a 275-metre string lights.
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