Bob Marquis, right, and friend Vern Smith discuss what Marquis might be able to salvage from his burned-out home. The Tuesday fire left the house charred, with huge holes in the roof.
Marcus Larson
News-Register

CARLTON - From Third Street, the doublewide manufactured home doesn't look so bad: Scorched around the edges, but relatively intact. But open the door and you'll find charred and water-soaked debris, steam in the heat of the sunshine that pours through what once was the roof.

"We just had a new roof put on," said the Rev. Robert Marquis, looking at a strip of three-tab shingles that now hangs down into what used to be his kitchen.

Marquis - Pastor Bob, to his congregation at Carlton Assembly of God Church - came home for lunch Tuesday to find his home filled with smoke. Following the thick smoke into the bedroom, he saw flames coming from the bathroom.

In a moment, smoke was so thick he couldn't see his hand in front of his face, he said. He dialed 911 and started to leave the residence; a neighbor arrived and ordered him out, as well.

"The neighbors have been pretty fantastic," he said.

That doesn't surprise the longtime resident at all. "This is Carlton. People are very gracious. They're asking what they can do," he said. "Of course, it's hard to answer that question right now."

The structure, owned by the church, was insured. But Marquis and his wife, Sarah, had no insurance on their possessions. As a result, they are left wondering where to live and how to rebuild their lives.

"There are just a lot of things to take care of, and I don't know where to start first," Marquis said.

The couple and their two daughters, Tabi and Charis, moved to Carlton 28 years ago. They lived in various rentals around town.

Then, 14 years ago, the church put in the mobile home to serve as a parsonage - the first manufactured home on its own lot that was allowed in town. Over the years, Marquis said, "we put a lot of work into it."

He said he enjoyed living next to the church and being available whenever members of the congregation needed him. The location also allowed him to be a sort of caretaker for the property, although there never has been any trouble, he said.

Tabi and her husband pastor an Assembly of God church in Crescent City, Calif. Charis lives in Lynwood, Wash.

Both daughters planned to be home for Carlton Fun Days, which takes place June 26 and 27. Instead, they're coming this weekend to help their parents.

"It's not for Father's Day," Marquis said. "The way they treat me, every day is father's day."

Marquis said he phoned his daughters Tuesday afternoon while firefighters were trying to extinguish the blaze. He called his wife, as well, catching her while she was out shopping.

Marquis said this week's events have been more difficult for his wife than for him. While he's frustrated and confused and distracted, he didn't have as much sentimental attachment to the house as she did.

"It's just stuff," he said. "It's just stuff. When we go to heaven, the stuff is going to stay here, anyway."

Marquis said he's also taken a lesson from his assistant pastor, Cecil Franklin, who lost his house in a fire in early February.

Franklin and his wife, Geneva,were out when their place near Yamhill burned to the ground. But they are doing well today, Marquis said.

"The Franklins lost everything. They had a great attitude," he said. "I always say, the only thing you can control is your attitude."

On Thursday, Marquis wore a shirt and slacks that were new to him. "It's the only set of clothes I have right now," he explained.

The minister will need at least one more item of clothing before Sunday: a tie. "I always wear ties on Sunday. I feel it shows more respect for the day," he said.

Everything in their closet was ruined by fire and smoke, he said - his suits and casual clothes, and all his wife's things, too. They may be able to salvage some of their furniture, but anything upholstered is probably ruined.

Marquis said they plan to try to save some of the pictures from their walls and other decorations, too. His wife has already removed precious family photos from the house, although some photos of their daughters and grandchildren still remain on the kitchen wall, where they were a focal point of family life.

As he entered the shell of the home, Marquis remained good-humored. "Like my skylight?" he asked, pointing toward a huge gap in the roof. "At least it's airing things out."

Marquis said it doesn't bother him to go back inside their ruined home, where he and his wife had lived for 14 years, exactly. Still, he is staggered by the damage.

"I've never seen anything like this before," he said. For instance, in the bathroom, a faulty ceiling fan apparently started the fire, "the toilet and the bathtub just dissolved. It must have been immense heat."

Marquis plans to show pictures of the fire damage to his congregation on Sunday. However, he said, he's not planning to use the fire as a springboard for his sermon.

Rather, his message will be about Father's Day, although "it's kind of hard to concentrate on writing right now" with the fire still on his mind.

Carlton Assembly of God is continuing with its busy schedule of activities. Vacation Bible school starts Monday, and a tent revival will be held in a few weeks.

The church has numerous programs for young people, Marquis said, including Commandos for boys and girls ages 5 to 11 and youth group for those 12 and older. About 80 people on average attend Sunday services.

Carlton Assembly of God also operates a helping ministry, the Blessing Room, that offers clothes, household items and food. Those items were stored in the church annex, an older house between the church and the pastorate.

Marquis said the fire reminded him that many people are in need these days. "We should be more sympathetic to others who go through problems," he said.

But it's also reminded him of the caring and generosity of others.

"It's not just our church. People in general are very willing to help," he said. "It's amazing how many people have offered assistance."