Gone in 70 seconds: what happens when you don’t water your Christmas tree

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services held a demonstration on Thursday to help people avoid a holly, fiery Christmas this year.

The fire department delivered a safety presentation that included tips on how to keep your Christmas tree from burning to a crisp.

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“It’s absolutely imperative if anyone has a live Christmas tree in their home that they keep it well watered,” said Jonathan Gormick, public information officer for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.

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“That means making sure that the bowl at the base of the tree is always full and that it’s checked daily.”

WATCH: Dry Christmas tree vs. well-watered Christmas tree

0:49 Dry Christmas tree vs. well-watered Christmas tree

Gormick said this as he stood next to a Christmas tree that, once ignited, burned mostly down to its branches in about 70 seconds.

“Dry Christmas trees are extremely flammable and can lead to a devastating house fire in a matter of seconds,” he said.