Amid Southern California’s devastating wildfires, which have claimed at least 16 lives and forced thousands from their homes, one man’s dramatic escape is capturing hearts worldwide.
Los Angeles resident Francois Auroux, 56, was filmed fleeing his Pacific Palisades home on a bicycle, clutching a painting by renowned Greek artist Alekos Fassianos.
As raging Santa Ana winds fuelled the fires, Auroux rushed to save family heirlooms, including a hard drive containing photos and the painting, which had deep sentimental value.
“I ran and grabbed a hard drive that our family photos were on. I grabbed a couple of our family heirlooms,” he recalled. Among them was “The Cyclist,” a silk screen his mother had bought in Paris, which had been cherished by his family for years.
Auroux’s harrowing escape was captured on camera by an NBC reporter.
“This is our house. The backyard’s on fire. I’m out of here,” he told the reporter. He was later seen riding into the night, his body battered by red-hot embers.
The fire quickly consumed Auroux’s home, and his family’s belongings were lost, except for the painting and a few photos. The emotional weight of saving the artwork was not lost on him.
“My grandfather, Albert Auroux, was a dental surgeon in Paris and personally knew Alekos Fassianos,” he explained. “That’s why my whole family loves his paintings.”
Auroux’s act of saving the painting prompted the artist’s family, including Fassianos’ daughter Victoria Fasianou, to track him down.
“We wanted to find him to send a message of support, as he’s going through a tough time,” Mariza Fasianou, Alekos Fassianos’ widow, said.
The Fassianos family plans to send Auroux a print of “The Coffee Drinkers,” a beloved Greek scene by the artist.
Since the video went viral, Auroux has received an outpouring of support, both from Los Angeles and Greece.
Source: Ekathimerini.
