Firefighters watch as home burns to ground

[CYF]

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local...104052668.html

OBION COUNTY, Tenn. - Imagine your home catches fire but the local fire department won't respond, then watches it burn. That's exactly what happened to a local family tonight.

A local neighborhood is furious after firefighters watched as an Obion County, Tennessee, home burned to the ground.

The homeowner, Gene Cranick, said he offered to pay whatever it would take for firefighters to put out the flames, but was told it was too late. They wouldn't do anything to stop his house from burning.

Each year, Obion County residents must pay $75 if they want fire protection from the city of South Fulton. But the Cranicks did not pay.

The mayor said if homeowners don't pay, they're out of luck.

This fire went on for hours because garden hoses just wouldn't put it out. It wasn't until that fire spread to a neighbor's property, that anyone would respond.

Turns out, the neighbor had paid the fee.

"I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong," said Gene Cranick.

Because of that, not much is left of Cranick's house.

They called 911 several times, and initially the South Fulton Fire Department would not come.

The Cranicks told 9-1-1 they would pay firefighters, whatever the cost, to stop the fire before it spread to their house.

"When I called I told them that. My grandson had already called there and he thought that when I got here I could get something done, I couldn't," Paulette Cranick.

It was only when a neighbor's field caught fire, a neighbor who had paid the county fire service fee, that the department responded. Gene Cranick asked the fire chief to make an exception and save his home, the chief wouldn't.

We asked him why.

He wouldn't talk to us and called police to have us escorted off the property. Police never came but firefighters quickly left the scene. Meanwhile, the Cranick home continued to burn.

We asked the mayor of South Fulton if the chief could have made an exception.

"Anybody that's not in the city of South Fulton, it's a service we offer, either they accept it or they don't," Mayor David Crocker said.

Friends and neighbors said it's a cruel and dangerous city policy but the Cranicks don't blame the firefighters themselves. They blame the people in charge.

"They're doing their job," Paulette Cranick said of the firefighters. "They're doing what they are told to do. It's not their fault."

To give you an idea of just how intense the feelings got in this situation, soon after the fire department returned to the station, the Obion County Sheriff's Department said someone went there and assaulted one of the firefighters.

"I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong," said Gene Cranick.

sucks for them, but they elected not to buy fire service.

[Helix]

That is not unusual for rural townships.

[Va2k]

wow what a bunch of bullshit, I was a firefighter for 13 years we would of never ever done anything like that!

[marketsmart]

Originally Posted by Fungus

wow what a bunch of bullshit, I was a firefighter for 13 years we would of never ever done anything like that!

look.. i am very familiar with this setup and the fire dept gives you like 10 chances to pay your bill..

i bet the guy was like fuck them and he got what he got...

there are 2 sides to the story and if people would shut their gaps until their hear both sides, the world would be a much better place...

ya herd....





.

[chronig]

horrifying to have your house and everything in it burn down... seriously... even if you did say "fuck" the 75$ fee... but at the end of the day I guess you have no one to blame for your frustration but yourself. Would've been nice if the department made an exception.

[InfoGuy]

Would the fire department have put out the fire if there was a person trapped in the house or let them die?

[NickB.]

damn thats a horrid way of setting an example

[DaddyHalbucks]

Gotta love those public employees!

Are they formally unionized?

They sure have the union attitude.

[Hentaikid]

That's how Croesus got rich back in the good old days of Rome.

Progress... not.

[PornMD]

Dick got what he deserved. People need to understand they aren't entitled to shit they don't pay for. Too late is too late, fuck 'em.

What if that fire department NEEDS that money from people to function? What if they then help this asshole despite him not paying? Then everyone else will not pay, they won't have a fire department, and all their houses can burn up while they piss and moan.

[Bird]

hope they paid there home owners and fire insurance.

[DBS.US]

They could have put the fire out and then billed the home owner full price.

[rogueteens]

WOW! Having to pay extra for a fire service!!

[MrBottomTooth]

Why isn't that just automatically tacked on to your propery taxes? Dumb fucks, all of them.

Reminds me of the local police that told the volunteer firefighters here that they would be charged with street racing if they drove too fast responding to fire calls. Some people have no common sense.

[Choker]

Originally Posted by MrBottomTooth

Why isn't that just automatically tacked on to your propery taxes? Dumb fucks, all of them.

Reminds me of the local police that told the volunteer firefighters here that they would be charged with street racing if they drove too fast responding to fire calls. Some people have no common sense.

Seems the county there doesnt have a fire department so the nearest city told those outside its city limits hey look we are not you fire department you dont have one, your not paying city taxes and supporting us so if you want protection you gotta pay $75 a year.

Way back in the day in big cities civilians provided fire services and merchents and homeowners had to pay them for it or they were shit out of luck.

[MrBottomTooth]

Originally Posted by Choker

Seems the county there doesnt have a fire department so the nearest city told those outside its city limits hey look we are not you fire department you dont have one, your not paying city taxes and supporting us so if you want protection you gotta pay $75 a year.

That's horrible that some places have no designated fire service. I live in buttfuck nowhere and every region around here has at least one fire department that will respond, mostly made up of volunteers.

There was some sort of accident today in my area and the volunteer firemen went flying by me about 4 minutes earlier than the police.

[Jim_Gunn]

That's nuts. An uncontrolled fire in a neighborhood can not only destroy property, but also potentially kill innocent people in the house or nearby. Unless they check, how could they even know they weren't letting a sleeping, helpless or handicapped child or adult who can't escape on their own burn to death along with the house just to set an example? Why not charge the irresponsible homeowners for fire services on the spot or bill them and automatically add that charge plus a penalty to their local city or county taxes, if there is such thing as county taxes?

[halfpint]

ohh I always thought that firemen were paid from peoples taxes like the police and ambulance service ..well thats how it works over here anyway ...would they still have done the same thing if somebody was trapped inside the house ?

[Jason Voorhees]

That's shitty.

[adult-help]

ah the american capitalism at its finest..

[TheSenator]

Firefighter Code of Ethics

"As a firefighter and member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, my fundamental duty is to serve humanity; to safeguard and preserve life and property against the elements of fire and disaster; and maintain a proficiency in the art and science of fire engineering.

I will uphold the standards of my profession, continually search for new and improved methods and share my knowledge and skills with my contemporaries and descendants.

I will never allow personal feelings, nor danger to self, deter me from my responsibilities as a firefighter.

I will at all times, respect the property and rights of all men and women, the laws of my community and my country, and the chosen way of life of my fellow citizens.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the fire service. I will constantly strive to achieve the objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession--saving of life, fire prevention and fire suppression.

As a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, I accept this self-imposed and self-enforced obligation as my responsibility."

[Pipecrew]

sounds kinda like the mafia

i.e protection money

[rock-reed]

Life is a Business, shit does not happen without money being passed around.

[DBS.US]

I remember when Malibu was on fire, I saw LA County Fire, LA City Fire, Orange County Fire, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, ECT>>>>>

[lagcam]

I think if the fire service had prioritised another call from someone who had actually paid rather than just stand there watching it (if actually true) the guy wouldn't have had a valid complaint, but as it is, I think he can claim to be more than a little hard done by especially as he offered to pay full price.

I am guessing from next year there will be some small print next to the opt out box for that $75 fee where it will say "if we are required to attend a fire on your premises you will be billed the full cost of our service".

Hope he had insurance (and that it wasn't invalidated by this)

[Ron Bennett]

Sadly, this is nothing new - firefighters watching as a person's house burns due to lack of payment. Most people aren't aware that in some places, especially rural areas, firefighting service isn't automatically provided.

What amazes me is that I've never read of any instance of a homeowner who lost their home taking violent revenge against the firefighters - or does that happen?

Ron

[kazbalah]

LOL... America..

[u-Bob]

What did he expect? If you want a certain service, you pay for it. Simple as that. If you think it's too expensive, find someone cheaper or find a cheaper alternative (start your own volunteer service).... just don't expect everything to be for free.

[u-Bob]

Originally Posted by MrBottomTooth

Why isn't that just automatically tacked on to your propery taxes? Dumb fucks, all of them.

Forcing people to buy a service or product is an act of aggression. Just like the mafia forces people to buy protection....

[DWB]

Ouch!

As silly as this sounds, what if the family was in such a tight pinch they couldn't afford the $75?

[wyldblyss]

I know it is harsh, but when you don't pay for fire service, or don't buy insurance you are taking a risk. They gambled on the fact their home would not catch fire and they lost.

I know many people would think they should have allowed the people to pay the $75 and save their house, but what message does it send to everyone else in the county? It would tell everyone else that you don't have to pay for fire protection, but if your property does catch on fire for the price of $75 they will come. So people will stop paying and the fire department can't pay for things on a $75 per fire basis.

When you gamble with the most expensive thing you own, you have to be prepared to pay the price. Sad, harsh, but that is the way it is.

[gmr324]

Would the fire department have put out the fire if there was a person trapped in the house or let them die?

I wondered about that same point. Has to be a line they draw that they won't respond unless human life is at risk

[AlphaSky]

I hope that home owner sues the fucking shit out of that fucked up fire department. Doesn't matter if he paid or not. At the time of the fire, their job is to put it out.

What if there was a mix up with the bank? or the computer didn't show his payment? The time when the fire is blazing is not the time to pull records.

Put the fire out, then if the record shows he didn't pay, then lein the home owner. It's not rocket science.

What if there was a small child in the home and even the home owner didn't know? Let the kid die for $75???

I really hope there is a major lawsuit agains that fire department. Letting a home burn down to the ground to make a point for $ 75 is obscene.

[BestXXXPorn]

Right on, fire department did exactly what they should have done. People feel they're entitled to everything for fucking free... and only want to pay for protection when they actually need it. If they didn't want to fund the fire department then they shouldn't receive services...

Anyone who says differently is probably one of the ones that feels they are entitled to everything for free now a days...

[J. Falcon]

Must be the firefighters starting the fires in that town.

[thickcash_amo]

Man that is fucked up and sounds really unethical! Why couldn't they just have a bill if you didn't pay the $75 that they would send to you for the services instead of letting the house burn down? There has to be some sort of back up...

[_Richard_]

no property taxes out there?

seems malicious

[beemk]

Originally Posted by PornMD

Dick got what he deserved. People need to understand they aren't entitled to shit they don't pay for. Too late is too late, fuck 'em.

What if that fire department NEEDS that money from people to function? What if they then help this asshole despite him not paying? Then everyone else will not pay, they won't have a fire department, and all their houses can burn up while they piss and moan.

exactly. he didnt want to pay for it why should he get the service? i bet everyone else in the city will pay their bill now.

[Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life]

Originally Posted by kazbalah

LOL... America..

No shit

I'm happy to live in communist Canada. You pay a fee when there is a fire here and they have to respond, but you're not regularly charged an annual fee, and the firefighters don't demand payment up front. They come save your fucking house and figure out the fee later. As far as I know the fee in my home county is $500 for response to a structural fire and $400 to a vehicular fire...

Sort of like going to the hospital, no doctor is going to turn you out the door if you are injured and need medical care. Even if you're not covered for whatever reason, they work on you first, and figure out the money later.

[Kenny B!]

Wow here it would be illegal for emergency services not to act. Sucks for that family but you play with fire, you get burned!

[Varius]

For those saying "why don't they just put it out then bill him", that would be an extremely bad example to set.

It will show other people, "hey, don't pay, since the chance you have a fire is pretty small, but if you do, you'll just pay then".

They could conceivably lose a lot of revenue and no longer even be able to operate.

[MrBottomTooth]

Originally Posted by u-Bob

Forcing people to buy a service or product is an act of aggression. Just like the mafia forces people to buy protection....

I bet those people wish someone "forced" them into paying before the fire started. It's idiotic not to have fire coverage for your home.

And there is a big difference between paying off the mafia so they don't trash your business, and paying to help fund a community service like fire protection that is there to save lives and prevent people from becoming homeless.

Same as it is idiotic not to have auto insurance.

[closer]

He has himself to blame for it, but really, the fire fighters where on location, he offered to pay the full costs and they still rejected?

That's a weird and cruel way of setting an example.

[bigluv]

Unless there was some kind of extenuating circumstances I think its perfectly fine what the fire department did.

Guess he learned the hard way if you're not responsible life just doesn't take care of you.

[u-Bob]

Originally Posted by thickcash_amo

Man that is fucked up and sounds really unethical!

forcing people to buy a service or product = unethical.
forcing people to provide a service or product for free = unethical.
letting people chose whether or not they want to buy a service or product = ethical.

[jimmy-3-way]

I love how 80% of the people in this thread didn't read the full article.

I hope this guy is a tea bagger who didn't want to pay the unfair socialist fire tax and all of his NO-BAMA tea bagger signs burned up.

[jimmy-3-way]

Originally Posted by thickcash_amo

Man that is fucked up and sounds really unethical! Why couldn't they just have a bill if you didn't pay the $75 that they would send to you for the services instead of letting the house burn down? There has to be some sort of back up...

Dude, it's $75. Considering the benefit, $75 is nothing.

From the article:

"I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong," said Gene Cranick.

Fuck his freeloading ass, he expected all of his neighbors paid and expected a free ride. Fuck him and fuck his charred house. I hope the insurance company denies his claim for not paying for fire service.

[Tom_PM]

This is a glimpse into a possible future if you let people privatize services.

I've seen this guys live interviews on tv. First, they've put out fires before for people who hadn't paid the $75 under the previous fire chief. Second, the mans neighbor offered to pay the firefighters $500 to put it out, and this was after the man himself said of course he'd pay the fee or whatever they wanted. Third, many of the firefighters were in tears over not being permitted to put water on his house. Fourth, if people are saying "oh well, you pay or you burn", then what was the point of refusing all the money they were offered? Punishment? Thats against the constitution. The man SAYS he's paid it in the past and had no trouble paying it now, but it's just one of those damn things that he forgot about. Maybe someone here gets 10 notices to pay it, that doesnt mean this man got 10 notices and so we can assume he said "fuck it" or whatever the hell other fairy tales we think maybe a person might have said to fit what we already have decided. He says he simply forgot about it, and right now there's no reason to disbelieve it. Until there is, we should take his word.

Part of every penny you pay in county sales tax goes to the municipalities general fund, which includes fire department money. There should be no such thing ever, anywhere in america, as an ADDITIONAL subscription fee for a fire department! Thats not America. America tried this idea in the 1700's and it failed miserably as it does now.

[DBS.US]

What's the fee for the police to come out?

[TheSenator]

Originally Posted by PR_Tom

This is a glimpse into a possible future if you let people privatize services.

I've seen this guys live interviews on tv. First, they've put out fires before for people who hadn't paid the $75 under the previous fire chief. Second, the mans neighbor offered to pay the firefighters $500 to put it out, and this was after the man himself said of course he'd pay the fee or whatever they wanted. Third, many of the firefighters were in tears over not being permitted to put water on his house. Fourth, if people are saying "oh well, you pay or you burn", then what was the point of refusing all the money they were offered? Punishment? Thats against the constitution. The man SAYS he's paid it in the past and had no trouble paying it now, but it's just one of those damn things that he forgot about. Maybe someone here gets 10 notices to pay it, that doesnt mean this man got 10 notices and so we can assume he said "fuck it" or whatever the hell other fairy tales we think maybe a person might have said to fit what we already have decided. He says he simply forgot about it, and right now there's no reason to disbelieve it. Until there is, we should take his word.

Part of every penny you pay in county sales tax goes to the municipalities general fund, which includes fire department money. There should be no such thing ever, anywhere in america, as an ADDITIONAL subscription fee for a fire department! Thats not America. America tried this idea in the 1700's and it failed miserably as it does now.

Agreed.

The response in this thread shows how many asshole are out there.