Second home destroyed by second fire in Big Pine

April 5, 2012

Firefighters extinguished a blaze in this trailer Saturday, shortly after clearing the scene of another structure fire earlier that day. The blaze completely destroyed a trailer that was being used as a residence in the Indian Camp area of Big Pine. Photo by Lorenzo Parra, Sr.

Two separate fires in Big Pine Saturday destroyed two separate homes, one on Hill Street and a second at the end of West Street in an area known as Indian Camp.
According to Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Marzano, Big Pine firefighters were just mopping up after the home fire on Hill Street when the call came in at about 4:30 p.m. for a second structure fire on West Street.
Officials with CalFire are looking into the cause of the structure fire at Indian Camp although no foul play is suspected, according to the chief.
Marzano said the structure, a temporary dwelling set up in Indian Camp, where a number of homes were destroyed in the Center Fire of 2011, was a total loss. However, the resident was not home at the time and there were no injuries reported in association with the blaze.
The fire was about 200 yards from a home that is being rebuilt after being destroyed by the Center Fire.
Big Pine Volunteer Firefighter and Fourth District Supervisor Marty Fortney said fire crews had the fire out and were able to clear the scene by 8 p.m.
Fortney added that the trailer that was burned was an illegal dwelling, that was placed on the property without the proper permits being obtained.
“That’s private property, it isn’t part of the Reservation, it’s a private trust,” Fortney said. “The county had been working on (handling the illegal dwelling), sending letters, but they haven’t been able to get in contact with the responsible party.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Marzano said he does not believe the fire was set intentionally.
The investigation is being handled by CalFire.