Crews from Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department and CalFire from both Independence and Bishop battled the blaze that completely destroyed the residence on the corner of Richard and Blake streets in Big Pine Wednesday morning. The house reportedly went up faster than Big Pine Fire Chief John Marzano has ever seen. Photos by Angie Calloway

By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
12-12-2009

For the second time in a week, fire has completely destroyed a local family residence, this time the home of Cleveland and Vanessa Charlie in Big Pine.
Despite the frigid temperatures early Wednesday morning, the structure at the corner of Richard and Blake streets on the Big Pine Indian Reservation went up very quickly. Big Pine Fire Chief John Marzano said the fire is still under investigation as the house went up in flames faster than Marzano has ever seen before.
“It went up really fast – a lot faster than normal – and we still don’t know why,” Marzano said by phone Thursday. He said a thorough search for extra or excessive fuels on the scene did not turn up anything other than some propane tanks.
Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department got the initial call of a “tent fire” at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday morning. Marzano said the tent fire may have been from a cloth carport structure.
CalFire from both Bishop and Independence responded to the call as well. Marzano said CalFire was on scene quickly when they heard it was a structure fire.
One Big Pine firefighter succumbed to smoke inhalation, but is fine now, Marzano said. He added it was so cold some fighters sought refuge and warmth inside the ambulance.
CalFire is assisting Big Pine Fire with the investigation.
Marzano said the house was considered a total loss but said he estimates  of damage as going market price of a similar home.
A family member said that the Charlies lost everything in the fire. An account accepting donations for the Charlies has been set up at Union Bank of California under the name of Cleveland Charlie.