On December 6th, the Jack London Christmas tree was torched with what officials identified as a spray can and lighter. The Oakland Fire Department reported that security footage revealed the arsonist was riding a bicycle through the Jack London Square and threw the can at the tree, leaving shortly before the flames began crawling up the tree. 15% of the bottom of the tree was damaged by the fire before the Oakland Fire Department came and extinguished it. No arrests have been made and the investigation of the suspect is still ongoing. Nonetheless, the tree was fully restored and the tree lighting took place as planned on Saturday, December 11th. The unfortunate fire didn’t affect the beautiful ceremony. As described by Fox 2 KTVU, “The Grinch who tried to burn down the Jack London Square holiday tree will not steal Christmas after all.”