Collingwood's Tree Lighting Fail: A Cautionary Tale

Introduction

The annual tree lighting ceremony in Collingwood, Ontario, took a disastrous turn on Friday night when the tree caught fire, sending panicked revelers fleeing the scene.

The incident occurred just minutes after the mayor had flipped the switch to illuminate the tree, which was adorned with thousands of twinkling lights.

As the crowd gasped in horror, firefighters rushed to the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze, but not before the tree was severely damaged.

Causes of the Fire

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say it appears to have been caused by an electrical malfunction.

The tree was decorated with a variety of electrical lights and decorations, and it is possible that one of these malfunctioned and sparked the fire.

The fire department is also investigating whether the tree was properly watered, as dry trees are more susceptible to catching fire.

Response from Officials

Collingwood Mayor Brian Saunderson expressed his disappointment over the incident, but said he was grateful that no one was injured.

"This is a very unfortunate incident, and we are deeply sorry that it happened," Saunderson said.

"We are working with the fire department to determine the cause of the fire and to ensure that this does not happen again."

Reaction from the Community

The tree lighting ceremony is a beloved tradition in Collingwood, and many residents were saddened by the damage to the tree.

"It's a shame that this happened," said resident Mary Smith.

"This is a special event for our community, and it's unfortunate that it was ruined by a fire."

Lessons Learned

The fire at the Collingwood tree lighting ceremony is a reminder of the importance of electrical safety.

When decorating a tree with electrical lights and decorations, it is important to use only UL-listed products and to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

It is also important to ensure that the tree is properly watered, as dry trees are more susceptible to catching fire.

WATCH: Collingwood's Tree Lighting Fail

A video of the Collingwood tree lighting fail has gone viral on social media.

The video shows the tree catching fire just moments after the mayor flipped the switch to illuminate it.

Click here to watch the video.