A trans memorial tree in Manchester's Sackville Gardens has been left 'irreparably damaged' after going up in flames during pride celebrations. The National Trans Memorial, which is the first of its kind in the UK, caught fire on Sunday night (August 29) as revellers enjoyed the third night of pride.
The cause of the fire is not known, but National Transgender Charity Sparkle say it may have been caused by a lit cigarette that was left by the tree on Sunday evening. Pictures of the aftermath show the charred tree, with heaps of ash on the ground, which has since been blocked off with metal barriers.
The Sycamore tree, which was unveiled eight years ago, had been specially carved to transform it into the cheshired memorial and is decorated with plaques, naming trans people who have passed away as a place for them to be remembered. Following the blaze, a group of charity volunteers have spent hours clearing out the burned element of the tree and adorning it with coloured flowers, with 'costly' regeneration now needed to get it back into shape.
