Blazing June

The director of Puerto Rico’s Museo de Arte de Ponce today announced their prize possession, Lord Frederic Leighton’s famous Victorian painting Flaming June, is no more - a tragedy that’s occasioned a name change for the iconic work.

At a packed Friday press conference, an emotional Dr Alejandra Pēna Gutiérre, the museum’s executive director, revealed their beloved picture had somehow spontaneously combusted and is a total loss.

“From now on, Flaming June will be known as Smoldering Pile Of Ash June,” she said fighting back tears.

“Obviously, the museum’s fire suppression system was not up to scratch,” she continued. “The good news is the whole place didn’t burn down.”

Art lovers around the world who are college graduates from the Northeast US who are also middle aged females who wear sensible shoes and shop at Trader Joe’s are expected to be heartbroken at the news.

Ms Pēna Gutiérrez promised a thorough investigation, more sprinklers and “maybe a fire extinguisher if we can raise the money”.