Vandals torched the famous giant Skiing Santa in terror-hit Nice, France.
A terrorist murdered 86 people on Bastille Day last year when he drove a truck through a crowd celebrating the holiday on the beach.
The Express reported:
A GIANT illuminated skiing Santa Claus displayed along the Promenade des Anglais – Nice’s famous beachfront boulevard – was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack, local officials said.
Officials added that what they had found at the scene – traces of hydrocarbons, the main constituents of fuels and accelerants – “pointed towards arson”.
The fire started at around 11pm on Wednesday.
Helpless locals are said to have stood, open-mouthed, as they watched the fierce flames engulf and ultimately destroy the festive symbol.
The giant Santa Claus had been erected directly opposite l’hôpital Lenval, a world-renowned children’s hospital.
Santa Claus statute on promenade des Anglais / nice pic.twitter.com/oiXTtHdNDe
— riviera rental (@rentalriviera) December 20, 2015
Breaking news ! The Father Christmas puppet installed on the Promenade des Anglais " Lenval hospital " burned down onJan 12 th after 10 pm. pic.twitter.com/lrAQYhMIU5
— riviera rental (@rentalriviera) January 12, 2017