<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A rural NSW town is devastated that its Christmas tree was destroyed by arsonists less than a fortnight away from the holiday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The decorated tree, which was put up on Smith Street in Kempsey just last week, has been burnt down in what police deemed a suspicious blaze about 11.15pm yesterday. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kempsey Shire Council will review CCTV footage and work with NSW Police to find those responsible.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-electricity-prices/7b7b09de-7fd9-4e41-ac46-23b63631bbf3" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Why electricity prices could rise by 20 per cent in the next decade</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are deeply disappointed and saddened for our community and for the council staff who, over many months, worked hard to procure, decorate and install the tree after what has been a challenging year for the shire," council said in a statement, referencing the floods that have battered the region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Detective Inspector Mark Rogers said officers were canvassing local businesses to understand how the fire started and would not rule anything out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's obviously very, very sad coming into the festive season for Kempsey to lose a Christmas tree, which is quite disappointing," he told reporters this afternoon.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-kempsey-christmas-tree-burnt-down/f8300b08-8418-4f1b-b805-075382435f43" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But we'll make those inquiries and treat it as suspicious for now, and establish whether or not something has happened."</span></div></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="150px" src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-ray-hadley-morning-show/un-australian-vandals-burn-down-rural-towns-iconic-christmas-tree/embed?style=cover" width="100%"></iframe></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kempsey residents were upset by the burning down of the tree, and took to social media to condemn the vandalism.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Can't have nice things on the ground these days," one said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So sad that some people are bent on destroying a little bit of joy for others," another added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Such a shame, was a beautiful Christmas tree, nicest one we have had," a third said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cancer-council-kids-sunscreen-recalled-after-causing-inadequate-protection/2f5fadee-6ad5-42c0-8e9e-4c906801276f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Cancer Council kids sunscreen recalled after causing 'inadequate' protection</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mayor Kinne Ring said residents were understandably upset due to the "immensely tough" year they had, but added the incident would bring the town together.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This doesn't have to be a negative. We're still going to have a fantastic Christmas," she told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kempsey Shire Council are removing the burnt tree's remains over the coming days.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ring said she has already been contacted by local businesses and organisations who have offered to pitch in to replace the tree.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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