Most of the mass of paper left from Auburn's win against Alabama A&M was consumed in a brilliant flame next to Biggin Hall. (Courtesy of Alessio Summerfield)
At 2 p.m., it could be clearly seen that the the trees and their surroundings were visibly charred. (Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR)
Most of the mass of paper left from Auburn's win against Alabama A&M was consumed in a brilliant flame next to Biggin Hall.
Police officers on the scene did not know the cause of the fire, which was soon extinguished by the fire department.
Alessio Summerfield, junior in RTVF, had just finished eating at Jimmy John's when someone shouted that Toomer's Corner was on fire.
"It was one of the most surreal experiences I've had as an Auburn student," Summerfield said. "I think it took me and the group I was with quite a while to process what we were actually seeing."
Before the fire department arrived, Summerfield said he and other students were immediately concerned that the fire might spread to campus.
"We just kept swearing and freaking out about how the fire might spread to campus, tree by tree," Summerfield said.
This is not the first time Toomer's Oaks have been up in flames.
Following Auburn's 49-31 win over UGA Nov. 13, 2010, an upset Georgia fan set fire to the paper hanging from the trees.
Summerfield said whatever started the fire probably didn't result out of spite.
"Since this happened once before in 2010, and the folks that are out that late are usually the belligerent type, I don't really think it was done out of malice," Summerfield said.
At 2 p.m., it could be clearly seen that the outside of the trees were visibly charred.
At approximately 2:10 p.m., Jacob Dean, junior in political science, was downtown running errands when he read the news about the trees and visited the corner.
"You can still see that everything is pretty charred," Dean said. "You can smell the smoke around the area."
Rodney Hartsfield, deputy fire chief of the Auburn Fire Division, said occurrences such as this are more common than students may think.
"This isn't the first time the trees have caught on fire," Hartsfield said. "It happens periodically through every football season. With that amount of toilet paper up in the trees, all it takes is a cigarette. We still don't know what started it Sunday morning."
As of 10:21 a.m. Nov. 19, Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police Department said there is no more information to be released and that the investigation is ongoing.
Toomer's Oaks have been in the news consistently since January of 2011 for allegedly being poisoned by self-proclaimed Alabama fan Harvey Updyke.
We huddled, warm, and dense and fair
The night beneath the Toomers air
And whence the flames did flicker on
Summoned glory of fair Auburn's dawn.
As splintered branch from leaf to root
Fell downward, scorching, specked in soot
An Auburn man I scance recall
Yelled "Tree by tree protect them all!
Come Auburn men and women fair
And huddle neath the Toomers air!
And fight once more for Auburn high!
And 'Tree By Tree' will be our cry!"
I said to my Auburn fan BF, Why doesn't Auburn build a couple trees like this one so noone can ever damage them again or take away the rolling tradition?
(and I cheer for Auburn when they play- well until the Iron Bowl. Ha-Ha)
I also wanna say I was deeply sicken by the poisoning of the trees and I donated money to the trees fund last year. I hope enough of you like my suggestion for the silver trees(or maybe some type of trees statues)and make it happen, because I believe it would serve the overall purpose and allow you all to still enjoy and proceed with your rolling tradition.
By your logic we should stop building tall buildings in New York so terrorists won't fly plains into them. Perhaps we should stop flying the eagle on the off chance some crazed redneck brings a shotgun to the game. No my friend, you don't tuck tail and run. I myself believe in a spirit that is not afraid. Why don't we have one or two police officers watch the trees all night until the fire department washes them off Sunday morning? Surely the athletic department could afford to have minimal security, and a fire truck on hand for a few hours after the game. I hope that my unborn kids have the chance to grow up rolling Toomer's corner just like I did. Yes it is one of many traditions we are blessed with at Auburn, but not one that we should simply discard because our enemy's choose to attack it. Just my honest opinion.