JAMES ROSENQUIST LOSES HOME, STUDIO IN WILDFIRE

Artist James Rosenquist faces an uncertain future after a brush fire swept through his home, office, and studio Saturday, reports the St. Petersburg Times. A second home also was lost, officials said. No one was injured. “It’s all gone,” Rosenquist said. “I’m just wiped out.”

The blaze touched off in the remote area about 3 AM, but members of the Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department said they had the fire contained. About twelve hours later, the blaze flared up again. Crews were trying to protect the structures but had to pull out once they learned about the volatile materials stored in Rosenquist’s studio. After firefighters retreated, a propane tank in the studio exploded. Firefighters said the sixty-two-acre blaze was suspicious and they were investigating the cause.

Rosenquist’s assistants were already talking about arrangements for his November show in New York, going over plans for turning the guest home into a work space and encouraging him to get started as soon as possible.