Fire at home of Arthur Aviles

Word has just come in about a fire last night at the Bronx home of dancer-choreographer Arthur Aviles and his partner, writer-publicist Charles Rice-Gonzalez.

Arthur and Charles--who were away at a class at BAAD!--are safe but, sadly, their dog, Canela, did not make it out. Canela's barking was what first alerted their landlady and saved her life. The landlady's efforts to save Canela in turn were unsuccessful, and the dog died of smoke inhalation.

As I learn more, I will keep IB readers updated about how Arthur and Charles are faring and how the community can offer support.

In an email statement about the incident, the couple wrote:

Mrs. Ross's apartment was completely destroyed and our place wasn't directly damaged by the fire, but they had to break through walls, and the roof and break out all the windows in every room and trashed the house, there's water damage everything smells of smoke.

So, we have a lot to deal with today and over the next few days including going to the Red Cross. They will help us find a place to live.

We are feeling so many things at the moment and are working hard to think clearly.

We know that people will want to help, and we are not sure how to respond. We are moving very slowly.

The bright light in all this is that Mrs. Ross is fine and strong. And Arthur and I have each other (and the turtles).

And we have beautiful people in our lives.