South Coast Plaza Christmas Tree Destroyed in Fire

Not so fast, Grinch.

A 96-foot Christmas tree outside Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa was destroyed in a fire today, but plans are in the works to salvage the trunk of the white fir for a modified holiday display.

A valet parker and maintenance worker called 911 at 6:34 a.m. to report the blaze, and firefighters were on scene at 686 Anton Blvd. two minutes later, Costa Mesa fire Capt. Chris Coates said.

“Witnesses state there was a loud pop about two-thirds of the way up the Christmas tree, which was on fire,” Coates said. “You could see the smoke column from miles away.”

The white fir was destroyed, but South Coast Plaza officials have made calls to have the tree’s branches shorn off so the trunk can be salvaged as a sort of post to house Christmas tree lights, Coates said.

“The plan moving forward is to have a company come out, cut off the top of the tree where it seems to be non-secure, put a collar around it, shave of all the branches and put vertical lighting on it so that it looks like a Christmas tree,” Coates said. “So we’ll still enjoy Christmas with a tree.”

The fire’s cause was under investigation, but it appears to be accidental, he said.

“Preliminary indications are not leading us to believe it’s suspicious in nature. However, you can’t rule that out right now,” Coates said.

A South Coast Plaza spokeswoman said the shopping center’s 34th annual tradition will continue.

“South Coast Plaza is grateful to the teams at the Westin South Coast Plaza and the Costa Mesa Fire Department for their immediate response,” Debra Gunn Downing said. “We are thankful that the flames were quickly doused and that no one was hurt at Town Center Park. We’re waiting for the results of the fire department’s investigation into the cause of the fire. At the same time, we are working to have a new tree in place by the end of week.”

City News Service; Photo: Costa Mesa Fired Department