On Monday (Jan. 16, 2012) Seminole County firefighter Al Caballero applied water to the smoldering base of The Senator. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP hide caption toggle caption Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP The Two-Way One Of World's Oldest Cypress Trees, 'The Senator,' Burns In Florida January 17, 2012 • Investigators are now saying arson was not the likely cause of Monday's fire that brought down the 3,500-year-old tree. It's possible a lightning strike a week ago started smoldering inside the giant.
