Fire destroys 96-foot-tall Christmas tree outside Southern California hotel

COSTA MESA, Calif . -- A 96-foot-tall Christmas tree went up in flames outside the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel in Costa Mesa on Monday morning, officials said.

The blaze was reported by a maintenance worker in the 600 block of Anton Boulevard just after 6:30 a.m.

"Over his pressure washer, he heard a loud pop, when he turned around he saw that the Christmas tree was on fire," said Capt. Chris Coates of the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to the fire within two minutes and knocked it down in less than half an hour, but the lavishly decorated tree was destroyed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Although Coates says the loud pop is common in electrical fires, they are taking a close look at any possible causes.

"Preliminary indicators are not leading us to believe it's arson. However, we're not ruling that out," Coates said.

No injuries were reported.