The Man Suffers Premature Incineration

As you know, a great many friends and aquaintances are out in the desert right now, preparing to burn down an effigy on Saturday night.

According to this press release from my long time buddy Andie Grace, The Man has had a little difficulty. Andie writes:

MAN TO BE REBUILT AFTER FIRE

(Black Rock City - August 28, 2007) The Man at the center of Black Rock City will be rebuilt after an overnight fire which damaged the effigy at the center of the Burning Man event. Rebuilding is expected to take about two days.

Black Rock City officials say there was structural damage to the figure of the Man, but relatively little damage to the art and exhibits at the base of the Man. No injuries were reported.

An arson investigation is underway, and one arrest was made shortly after the fire was set. No charges have been announced, and the name of the suspect is being withheld. There has been no discussion of motive in the episode.

"We have the means and the will. The event continues on schedule, and the Man will burn on Saturday night," said Andie Grace, Communications Manager for Burning Man LLC.

The press release goes on to say (and this is the part that cracked me up):

This is not the first time the Man has required rebuilding. In 1990, the Man was accidentally cut up with a chain saw while in storage prior to the event.

You kind of have to have been at the Burn to understand a chain saw accident of that magnitude.