New York – A devastating event has unfolded in the heart of New York City, as the widow of deceased architect, Bartholomew Gund, set fire to the original manuscript of his magnum opus, “The City of Your Final Destination.” The incident, which occurred shortly after 10:00 AM this morning at Gund’s meticulously preserved studio overlooking Central Park, has sent shockwaves through the city’s architectural community and triggered a frantic investigation by the NYPD.

Initial reports indicate that Ms. Evelyn Gund, 58, discovered the manuscript – a sprawling, complex blueprint for a city designed to predict and manage the inevitable, violent end of every individual within it – engulfed in flames. Witnesses described a scene of controlled chaos as Ms. Gund, dressed in a dark grey suit, calmly directed the fire suppression efforts, meticulously ensuring no damage was done to the surrounding architectural models.

“It was… surreal,” recounted Leo Maxwell, a structural engineer who works in the building adjacent to Gund’s studio. “She just… stared at the flames, like she’d expected this. Said something about ‘rendering the inevitable visible’ or something. It was unsettling, to say the least.”

The manuscript itself, according to sources familiar with its contents, contained a revolutionary, and deeply unsettling, system of predictive algorithms based on an individual’s lifespan and projected demise. The city’s design, intended to guide citizens towards a “harmonious end,” included strategically placed monuments, altered landscapes, and a complex network of interconnected pathways.

NYPD Commissioner Davies addressed the press shortly after the incident, stating, “We are treating this as a serious case of arson, but also recognizing the unusual nature of the materials involved. We are working closely with the Department of Temporal Studies to assess any potential temporal anomalies associated with the manuscript.”

The immediate consequence of the fire is a complete lockdown of Gund’s studio, and a temporary suspension of all architectural projects utilizing predictive design principles – a sector that has been experiencing a surprising resurgence in recent years. Several prominent figures within the field have expressed concern, with renowned urban planner, Dr. Vivian Holloway, stating, “Bartholomew’s work, while undeniably provocative, raised profound ethical questions. This incident forces us to confront those questions with renewed urgency.”

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information regarding Ms. Gund’s motives. The fate of “The City of Your Final Destination,” once a symbol of ambitious innovation, now hangs in the balance, consumed by the flames of its own unsettling prophecy.