It took 2 hours for the fire to spread from the barrels to an out building then to the house. The fire department was called way way before the house caught fire. The resident offered to pay ANY fee regardless how high for them to respond and was told it was too late. It is obvious they wanted to make an example out of these people. They should have responded to the fire and charged them a huge fee, but still respond to save life and limb and prevent this fire from spreading to adjacent property no matter what!


Yeah, maybe but they sent a strong message to anyone who refuses to pay...just think of it as insurance, if you don't buy auto insurance and then have a wreck you don't tell the insurance company to cover the damage and then you'll pay...


Brief!

Initially I thought of that as well, it is like insurance; but, then there is a moral/ethical issue as well as a safety issue. Morally/ethically it is wrong not help if you can; safety - well they did put out the fire on the neighbor's property who did pay.

It would be equivalent to an EMT watch you suffer and not offer to treat you because you didn't pay an EMS fee.

I agree with the whole "personal responsibility" and the homeowner gambled his home by not paying the $75.00 fee and lost; but, the ethical side of me doesn't agree with not offering assistance.