The Senator Tree Destroyed By Fire And Collapsed, Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida, United States

• Fire and collapse
On January 16, 2012, a fire was reported at the top of the Senator tree, which burned from the inside out, "like a chimney." Firefighters arrived to try to extinguish the blaze, but the tree collapsed. The cause of the blaze was initially believed to be arson, but was later found to have ignited high up in the interior of the hollow tree. An old, smoldering lightning strike or friction were speculated causes. The charred remains of the tree now stand only 20 to 25 feet (6.1 to 7.6 m) tall.