80ft Christmas tree bursts into flames in front of crowds in Russia

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/christmas-tree-burst-flames-crowds-russia-sakhalin-yuzhoo-sakhalinsk-a8136526.html

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Revellers in Russia witnessed an unusual light display as they welcomed the New Year.

A 25m artificial Christmas tree on Russia's largest island, Sakhalin, burst into flames and sent a column of thick smoke billowing into the sky.

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene in Lenin Square in Yuzhoo-Sakhalinsk, a smouldering metal frame was all that was left of the plastic tree, The Siberian Times reported.

No one was hurt in the incident.

The city's mayor's office will conduct an investigation into the fire and identify potential perpetrators, according to local news website Sakhalin.info.

The blaze was caused by a firework that hit the artificial tree, the website reported.

The structure was first erected in Lenin Square in 2015 and the city administration was on Monday still deciding whether to replace it.