Firefighters Let Home Burn Over Unpaid Fee

Except - per the article you sited - the victim offerred to pay for the cost of the fire company's expense. Not just the missed $75 fee.

I get the whole "gotta pay the fee, dude" but, as Schneed said, they are just sitting there watching burn while the owner is offering to pay the full cost of the expense. If he is willing to obligate himself to that - fine.

I am conflicted. On one hand I get the hard line - if the fireman break the rules and start putting out the fire, all sorts of liability issues not to mention the potential economic pitfalls (many opt out with the thought they can pay if needed, etc.). On the other, there is just a wrongness to watching something burn when the means to put it out are at hand and absolutely available.

Per the article the offer to pay the fee was after the the fact. Suppose I were to offer my home insurance company my annual fee after my house burned down? As a business would you take my offer? No. Now the guy did offer to pay wherever it costs to put out the fire but what assurances do I have the guy is going to pay? His only know collateral is on fire. Not worth the risk.

If everyone offered to pay the expense of putting out the fire after their house is on fire you wouldn't have a fire department.

We are free to choose and the Fire Fighters made the right business choice. This is a teachable moment.

A firefighters opinions on the South Fulton incident
South Fulton Firefighters: A Disgrace To The Uniform? (http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/?p=8383)

Well said. Its an insane story

Did Buster and Saden switch accounts in this thread? Seriously I'm confused. :cheeky-sm

At the end of the day we're talking about a measly $75. They seriously let someone's house burn down over $75? As a society you've gotta just ask WTF are we doing?

What's next? Police not responding if you haven't paid a fee?

Did Buster and Saden switch accounts in this thread? Seriously I'm confused. :cheeky-sm

At the end of the day we're talking about a measly $75. They seriously let someone's house burn down over $75? As a society you've gotta just ask WTF are we doing?

What's next? Police not responding if you haven't paid a fee?

I got my free market hat on.

If you're planning on beating on your wife best make sure you haven't paid the police fee.

Is that the common sense that tells you "those who paid get service" or "put it out even if someone hasn't paid?"

Because Cranick hadn't paid his fee, firefighters doused the border of his neighbor's property to protect that house in case the flames spread, but wouldn't help him. He lost all his possessions, plus three dogs and a cat.

I would have to ask...what was saved by the FD? What was gained by the FD? They still made the trip, incurred all the expense. Recieved nothing positive in return. Instead of being heros and saving these peoples pets and possessions, dwelling, etc.
They are the worthless heartless SOB's that stood there and watched it burn, killed the pets and are responsible for them being on the street.
AND in the aftermath, I am confident, had they put it out the owner would have paid their bill.
I hoped that helped to clarify what apparently was....a cloudy issue?

Because Cranick hadn't paid his fee, firefighters doused the border of his neighbor's property to protect that house in case the flames spread, but wouldn't help him. He lost all his possessions, plus three dogs and a cat.

I would have to ask...what was saved by the FD? What was gained by the FD? They still made the trip, incurred all the expense. Recieved nothing positive in return. Instead of being heros and saving these peoples pets and possessions, dwelling, etc.
They are the worthless heartless SOB's that stood there and watched it burn, killed the pets and are responsible for them being on the street.
AND in the aftermath, I am confident, had they put it out the owner would have paid their bill.
I hoped that helped to clarify what apparently was....a cloudy issue?

So they should put out the fire because they are already there and it feels right? What's will you say next? A doctor should see me because I showed up his clinic? The Pharmacy should give me free drugs because it's in my grocery store?


What happened to personal responsibility in this country? When men use to be men.

Because Cranick hadn't paid his fee, firefighters doused the border of his neighbor's property to protect that house in case the flames spread, but wouldn't help him. He lost all his possessions, plus three dogs and a cat.

I would have to ask...what was saved by the FD? What was gained by the FD? They still made the trip, incurred all the expense. Recieved nothing positive in return. Instead of being heros and saving these peoples pets and possessions, dwelling, etc.
They are the worthless heartless SOB's that stood there and watched it burn, killed the pets and are responsible for them being on the street.
AND in the aftermath, I am confident, had they put it out the owner would have paid their bill.
I hoped that helped to clarify what apparently was....a cloudy issue?


Id second that...if it was my dog, you'd probably be reading about how I guy killed the fire chief after letting his house burn down

Didn't Pay $75 Fee? Firefighters Watch Your Home Burn To Ground - The Consumerist (http://consumerist.com/2010/10/firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-ground.html)

Seems like the guys story has changed some. In the article for this thread he says he forgot but in this link it sounds like he just figured they would come regardless if he paid. So it seems to me like he figured he could just start skipping the fee an if something did hapen he could then pay the fee. Sounds like his little plan back fired. Not sure how I feel about the firefighters just standing there but if they let one person slide then no one would pay their bills.

Did Buster and Saden switch accounts in this thread? Seriously I'm confused. :cheeky-sm

At the end of the day we're talking about a measly $75. They seriously let someone's house burn down over $75? As a society you've gotta just ask WTF are we doing?

What's next? Police not responding if you haven't paid a fee?

Would you expect you auto ins. co. to pay your auto claim if your policy went out for non payment the month before?

Apples and oranges FD.