Iconic hollow tree landmark in Vancouver’s Stanley Park set ablaze

VANCOUVER – Police are investigating after an iconic landmark in Vancouver’s Stanley Park was set on fire twice in one night.

The so-called hollow tree, believed to be 700 years old, was set ablaze around midnight Thursday and again a few hours later.

Vancouver Park Board chairman Aaron Jasper says firefighters doused the flames and set up a temporary guard.

Jasper says there have been many efforts over the years to protect the western red cedar, including attaching braces and cables to the base to stabilize it.

Park staff are assessing the damage and will determine whether the tree needs to be protected further.

Jasper says there have been other suspicious fires in Stanley Park over the past few years, but there is no indication that they are linked.