Arts : Fire Destroys Nakashima’s Work

More than 100 pieces of woodwork and furniture made by craftsman George Nakashima were destroyed in a house fire, authorities said today.

“Everything’s gone, a total loss,” said Fire Chief Mark Freda. “The house and everything in it was destroyed.”

Nakashima, 83, is considered by many to be the elder statesman of American crafts. Only two pieces of the collection, owned by Dr. Arthur and Evelyn Krosnick, survived, the New York Times reported. A picture frame and a boardroom table were on loan for an exhibit of Nakashima’s work at the American Craft Museum in New York.

Police said the blaze began Tuesday morning when an acetylene torch being used by a plumber caught fire.