There had been a fire next door the day before and I have a lot of bamboo in my yard. It burnt some of my yard. And then the next evening I was outside and saw a flame and I went through the bamboo and there was an old tree on fire. And I called the F.D., and they came and didn't put out the fire. My neighbor and I had to put the fire out ourselves. Should/Can I sue them? What would you do? I have already talked with the City Manager and he just said, "I'm sorry," but is that enough? And our area was in a burn ban???
2006-12-18 17:21:59 · 11 answers · asked by docie555@yahoo.com 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The flames were at least a foot tall!
2006-12-18 17:25:26 · update #1
What reason did they give for not putting it out? Was it just a little one.. if so, of course you should put it out yourself and not waste the time of the fire department who could be helping others... but if it was an inferno and destroyed some of your property.. well, you bet .. Sue them.
2006-12-18 17:51:54 · answer #1 · answered by Debra H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if things are dry enough to burn, perhaps the Fire Department saw it as a "controlled burn", because it WAS under control! This way, if they just let it burn, then you wouldn't have to call then anymore. If all the structures were saved, then why are you so angry? It sounds like it's time for you & your neighbors to start trimming & cleaning up all your flammable materials!
2006-12-19 02:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I urge you to make peace with the city manager and ask him to assure your home safety in the future. It is very embarrassed for him already and it is not a big fire and I ask you to drop it. You still live in the small town and I am not sure you can win if you want to sue the city hall.It depends on your lawyer who can assure you have a good case. Remember you will be the ugly citizen in town. Some people might hate you for taking taxes payer money for your own.In my opinion, make peace with them and life goes on.
2006-12-19 01:40:41 · answer #3 · answered by ryladie99 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps it was just easier to let it burn. Sometimes if they believe that they fire will just burn itself out without harming anyone or anything else then they will not waste energy and resources to put it out. They would have done a risk assessment to see what to do. I don't think they would have let it burn if there was a serious risk to anyone
2006-12-19 01:25:26 · answer #4 · answered by Katie G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All public fire departments answer to that states fire marshal. You can contact them and even your insurance company, the pull alot of weight in matters like this.
2006-12-19 01:25:41 · answer #5 · answered by columind99 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's messed up. I would be scared to sue them because they may not put your house out if it ever catches on fire. Next time bake them cookies or something and ask them nicely to put it out.
2006-12-19 01:24:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why did you burn during a burn ban ? ?
In some cities you are liable if you burn something and it gets out of control.
If its a controlled burn, you have to be there watching, to make sure the fire don't get out of control
2006-12-19 16:40:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
youi think your leaveing something out of your story was the fire in a Fire pit dont know of fire Dep. that wountdo there job
2006-12-19 01:38:07 · answer #8 · answered by DANIEL H 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no much you could do but complain to the city mayor and if you want to make a lot of fuss, try the DA's office, governor and Senator's offices.
2006-12-19 01:25:07 · answer #9 · answered by pazunit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps they figured it would just die out quickly enough on its own.
2006-12-19 01:24:08 · answer #10 · answered by deviatedheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋