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Last month, wildfires devastated Los Angeles, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Among them was Francois Auroux, who evacuated his home on Sunset Boulevard during the Palisades Fire on his bicycle, navigating through thick smoke and flying embers as he tried to salvage as many possessions as he could. Fortunately, he crossed paths with NBC4’s Robert Kovacik, who was covering the scene and stepped in to help Auroux rescue two paintings.
Auroux tragically lost his home to the flames—the only home he had known for the past 39 years. In a desperate attempt to preserve some family memories, he grabbed whatever he could while fleeing the firestorm, including two framed artworks. Just as Auroux was about to leave the chaotic scene on his bike, Kovacik approached him and kindly asked if there’s anything he could do to help. “You can take these paintings, I guess,” he said. “I can’t ride with these.”
Kovacik promised to take care of the art and return them to Auroux at a later time. One of the prints, titled Man on a Bicycle, was originally painted by Greek artist Alekos Fassianos. The colorful work—from the artist’s Cyclist series—features a rider riding freely in a dreamlike landscape with his hair and scarf fluttering in the wind.
Ironically, Auroux’s own bike ride that day was anything but carefree. Yet, many online couldn’t help but notice the striking parallels between the artwork and his real-life escape. One person commented, “When life imitates art. Literally,” while another pointed out, “So strange that the painting that survived was a ‘Man on a Bicycle’ and he escaped the fire on a bicycle.”
Auroux reunited with his artwork alongside Kovacik and photojournalist David Gregory, who had been filming outside Auroux’s home during the fire. “It was kind of a miracle that you showed up there and offered to take them from me,” said an emotional Auroux, who then thanked Kovacik with a hug. Auroux also reflected on the painting’s deeper significance, particularly for those in LA. He said, “Fassianos is a hero out there. A lot of people are very touched by it because Greece has so many wildfires.”
Auroux’s artworks are now among his only remaining possessions rescued from his home, making them even more precious. “Getting these back means so much to my family, they’re memories for us,” he said. “I think it’s going to be hard for any of our family to be looking forward at this point but I mean it’s just this little glimmer of hope for us.”
Check out the video below.
Fleeing the Palisades Fire on his bike through smoke and embers, Francois Auroux met NBC4’s Robert Kovacik, who helped him save two paintings.
Source: Man who fled Palisades Fire on bike is reunited with his paintings
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