Woman accused of burning 3,500-year-old tree
A woman is in jail accused of starting a fire that destroyed one of the world’s oldest cypress trees.
Florida investigators said two witnesses identified Sara Barnes, 26, as the person who caused the 118ft bald cypress tree named The Senator to burn and collapse on January 16.
The Seminole County parks department said ring samples showed the tree was about 3,500 years old.
The Orlando Sentinel said Barnes also took photos of the fire with her mobile phone. The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement searched her Winter Park home yesterday and confiscated the phone and a laptop.
Authorities also reported finding methamphetamine, scales and drug paraphernalia. Barnes told investigators she started the fire while trying to use illegal drugs.
