Sad, all the way around. Sad that there's NOT a fire company covering this area. I live in a rural area, and from what I understand about volunteer fire companies, the choice to have one in the district IS decided by the taxpayers. Do they want to pay taxes to support a VOLUNTEER unit? Clearly the people in this area chose NOT TO. Since the majority chose NOT to pay taxes to have a company in their area, they were then each given the option to have a neighboring fire company cover their home individually, and these particular people chose NOT TO once again. Like BunBun, I am really offended (for no reason other than making proper choices in life) that this story was written in a way that makes the firemen look bad. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely HATE paying taxes ... BUT... when I hear that siren go off you bet your buns I get out of their way on the road and am very thankful that they are there, have the proper supplies to put out fires, are so close, and that they have contracts with all the local districts in the event they need help... and all of this is covered by my taxes. Mind you, my "area" is really quite SMALL! But they're there, and that siren goes off every single day and there are other 2 other fire houses within 5 miles of my home. I'm quite positive I pay MORE than $75 in taxes each year to support my local fire company. It's really pathetic to me that someone wouldn't pay such a small fee and then spin a story around to make it look like it's someone's fault other than their own that no one put out their fire.
I do agree with lvchief too... BUT, again it was these people's choice to NOT have coverage. It's America and all, they have the right to choose to not ask for help in saving their home. I'm sure if there were known live people inside the home the firemen would have had the "right" to save them and send a bill after the fact. If THAT isn't written somewhere then there's a bigger problem than we all realize.
Amy