Nygard's Bahamas complex burned out

The Nassau Guardian said 11 firefighters were called to the 150,000-square-foot Mayan-themed complex at Lyford Cay early Wednesday and found it engulfed in flames.

Nygard, a Canadian from Winnipeg, Manitoba, began building the lavish compound in the 1980s, the Winnipeg Free Press said.

There was only security staff present when the fire erupted, the Guardian said.

Sharon Clarke, director of communications with Nygard International, told the Free Press it wasn't likely the complex on the private island wouldn't be written off.

"Will he rebuild? Most likely, yes," she said. "The main thing is nobody was hurt at all."

There was no immediate report on the damage amount.
Last weekend, Nygard was in New York to oversee the opening of his new Times Square store and was reported headed to the Bahamas residence to survey the damage.

The estate has been featured on such TV programs as "Oprah Winfrey" and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," the Guardian said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.