Violinist 'critical' after fire at home

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) -- A former violinist for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra was burned on his hands in a house fire that also critically injured his son and his father and destroyed a priceless violin, officials said.
Violinist David Ewart, 48, was listed in critical but stable condition at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks with second- and third-degree burns to his face, hands, chest and back, said hospital spokeswoman Debbie Groveman.
Ewart has performed on more than 800 recordings by artists including Neil Diamond, Ricky Martin and Elvis Costello, and on the soundtracks for movies such as "Spider-Man 2," "The Notebook" and "Million Dollar Baby."
The fire early Tuesday gutted the family home, with damage estimated at $1.5 million, fire Inspector Ron Haralson said. The cause had not been determined.
It also destroyed one of Ewart's prized possessions, a violin dating from the 1770s, Garman said. The maker of the instrument was not immediately known.