A Man Who Fled Palisades Fire on Bike is Reunited with His Paintings
A Heartwarming Reunion
A man who was seen riding through smoke and flying embers in the Pacific Palisades attempting to flee with as many of his belongings as possible was reunited with two of his beloved paintings Thursday. NBC4’s Robert Kovacik offered to keep the Pacific Palisades homeowner’s artwork safe as he evacuated the deadly flames on a bicycle on January 7.
A Daring Escape
Francois Auroux fled his home on Sunset Boulevard as the destructive Palisades Fire began to spread rapidly. “That’s when I decided to get out and luckily I saw you, and I’m just really appreciative of that,” said Auroux. “That night was insane. And bumping into you and offering to take them off my hands is something I can’t imagine.”
A Beacon of Hope
The paintings are some of the only contents that remain of Auroux’s Pacific Palisades home, the only home he has known for the last 39 years. The artwork, painted by famous Greek artist Alekos Fassianos, now serves as a beacon of hope for Auroux and his family.
A Symbol of Memories
“Getting these back means so much to my family, they’re memories for us,” Francois 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.”
A Message of Hope
It was later discovered that one of those pieces was titled “Man on a Bicycle,” which is who was seen escaping the Palisades Fire that frightening night. After accepting the help, Auroux recited his number to Kovacik, usually something that is not advised while on live television, but Francois was pleasantly surprised.
A Wave of Support
“I looked at my phone and I saw hundreds of text messages from people all over LA saying ‘Just making sure everything was okay,'” Francois said. “I have had people reach out to me from Greece, France, Los Angeles, all over the United States. It’s just been touching.”
Conclusion
The reunion between Auroux and his paintings is a heartwarming reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of holding onto memories and hope in the face of adversity.
FAQs
* Who is Francois Auroux?
+ Francois Auroux is a Pacific Palisades homeowner who fled his home on a bicycle as the Palisades Fire spread rapidly.
* What happened to Auroux’s home?
+ Auroux’s home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
* What is the significance of the paintings?
+ The paintings are some of the only contents that remain of Auroux’s Pacific Palisades home and serve as a beacon of hope for Auroux and his family.
