Officials say fire was not intention of village’s tree lighting

The Clam photo by Margo McBeth: The traditional tree lighting ceremony in Sunbury ended in flames Dec. 13 when a spark in the wiring set the dead tree on fire while onlookers stare on. Despite Santa's firetruck escort, no firefighters were on scene at the start of the fire.

By: Bernerd Corral

SUNBURY–A traditional holiday event turned into a catastrophe when Sunbury’s signature Christmas tree caught fire during the annual tree lighting event.

Attendees of the tree lighting ceremony, held on the Sunbury square Dec. 13, expected to see the village’s oldest tree light up, but not in the way it happened.

“The lights came on and it was beautiful for about 30 seconds, then someone started screaming about a fire, and before we knew it the whole thing was up in flames,” said Gerard Arnold, Sunbury resident.

Village Administrator Hugo Ponteras said a spark somewhere in the wiring likely led to the fire after Mayor Sam Skooner flipped the switch to send power to the more than 1,000 lights on the tree.

“The tree did look a little brown when I was stringing on them lights last week,” said Skeeter Thomball, village maintenance employee. “Boy, that thing burned through faster than my wife through my paycheck.”

Ponteras said he thinks the 300-year-old tree was dead before it burned.

“I realize now the tree was probably dead for some time,” he said. “Those dry needles didn’t stand a chance against the 500 volts we had charging through those light strands.”

A fire truck was already present as Santa’s escort into town, but onlookers stood aghast before the flames as they waited for the firefighters to arrive on scene.

“We had loaned out our ladder to Santa,” said Fire Chief Dennis Gilliam. “So when the call came about the tree fire, we had to drive everyone over in the car designated for me, the chief. There were guys in full turnout gear sitting on each other’s laps.

“This just goes to show why voters need to approve our levies when they hit the ballot. We can’t operate with just one engine.”

The calamity was further fueled when firefighters discovered there were no hoses on the truck.

“We took the hoses out because they weigh so much,” said Hugh Jackson, who was dressed as Santa. “We were just driving me into town, so we didn’t think we needed the hoses. We wanted to be more fuel efficient. You know, go green.”

By the time firefighters aimed water at the tree, little more could be salvaged beyond a pile of ashy needles.

“We’re getting a fake tree next year,” Skooner said.

City Steals Spruce, Tells Resident to Deal With it

Clam photo by Margo McBeth: Homeowner Joe Martin looks on helplessly as parks a forestry staff member Sally Stillman chops away at spruce tree in Martin's yard Dec. 2. The tree was used for the Upper Arlington tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6.

By: FERDINAND MONTGOMERY

UPPER ARLINGTON – Joe Martin had no idea what he was getting into when he took a day off work Dec. 2.

Martin said at first he had “not the slightest clue what was going on” when, half way through his bowl of Quaker Oatmeal he looked out his kitchen window and saw a city parks and forestry crew using a handsaw to work their way through a 14 foot Colorado Spruce in his back yard.

“It really took me a minute to realize what was going on,” said Martin.

Martin said he then went out onto his patio where he asked the man closest to him what the crew was doing.

“They said they were going to take my tree for the city holiday tree lighting ceremony,” said Martin. “They said I should feel honored and go back inside the house.”

Martin said that before he could object, Parks and Forestry Superintendent Mark McCormick came around the side of the house and spoke to him.

“(McCormick) acted like I’d won the damn lottery or something,” said Martin. “But I really liked that tree.”

McCormick said things happened slightly differently, that Martin was irate and “extremely hard to deal with”.

“Every year we nominate a tree,” said McCormick, adding that the tradition began in Upper Arlington in the early 1950s. “And when we harvest the tree the residents usually aren’t home. They usually don’t mind.”

Every December city staff cruise the neighborhoods looking for a tree of “good quality” that must be at least 12 feet tall and and exceptionally green, said McCormick.

“He had a great tree,” said McCormick.

Martin said he felt he was simply being distracted by McCormick.

“By the time that asshole got done talking,” said Martin. “The crew was dragging my tree around the house.”

Martin said he is pretty sure a particularly large woman, the one he said had been doing the actual sawing, called him a “little bitch”.

“And then (McCormick) said there wasn’t a whole lot I could do about it,” said Martin.

McCormick said that part of the story was true.

“There wasn’t,” said McCormick. “Our job was to get a tree, once it’s down you might as well fire up the chest nuts and suck down some egg nog because it’s Christmas baby.”

Martin said he plans to go before City Council in January but that he is not sure what he can do.

“I mean, they got the damn tree,” said Martin. “I don’t even know (if I’ll go before council) or not.”

McCormick said he was not aware of anyone on his crew calling Martin a little bitch.

“He was just upset,” said McCormick. “But (Martin)  practically saved Christmas.

“He’ll be alright, it’s not like he’s Jewish or something.”

The Upper Arlington Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in Thompson Park on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.