[MSN] New Zealand, July 23 (UPI) -- Dozens of "irreplaceable" paintings by leading New Zealand artists were destroyed in a courier truck fire

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Published: July 23, 2007 at 3:15 PM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License  

Paintings lost to truck fire
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand, July 23 (UPI) -- Dozens of "irreplaceable"
paintings by leading New Zealand artists were destroyed in a courier truck
fire, a museum official said. 

The 35 works, included works by Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, John Weeks and
Dick Frizzell, were en route from Milford Galleries in Queenstown and to
Milford House in Dunedin when there was a fire in the rear of the truck, the
Otago Daily Times reported Monday. 

Art dealer Milford House wouldn't identify which paintings experts
determined were irrecoverable or their worth until insurance assessors
conducted their investigation. 

Milford House Director Niki Stewart told the Daily Times she was devastated,
and that losing the paintings was like a death for the gallery. 

"It was a huge amount of work, and it's caused a huge amount of sadness,"
Stewart said. "We are saddened by the loss of these unique and irreplaceable
works. 

The fire occurred earlier in July but only came to light recently, the
newspaper said.

http://www.upi.com/