[BDBohnzie]

It's a slippery slope. Those usage fees are obviously a big part of their funding, and they only responded to help the homeowner who did pay. If that gentleman who paid the fees hadn't called, the fire department wouldn't have responded at all.

While it's a damn shame that Mr. Cranick lost his possessions and pets, if the fire department puts this fire out, the precedent would be set that they would have to serve all those who didn't pay as well, or risk lawsuit. The flip side of the coin would be what if a firefighter had lost his life fighting this fire? Would his widow(er) be denied insurance benefits because they were not authorized to put out this fire?

The correct answer isn't always the best answer or the most moral answer.