David Crocker, mayor of South Fulton defended the fire department, saying that if the fire department responded to people who did not pay the fee, then people would have no incentive to pay. He said he hoped this incident would motivate people to pay the fee.
A family in South Fulton Tennessee watched their home burn to the ground as the fire department stood close by doing nothing to stop the blaze. According to reports, the Bell family called 911, however when firefighters arrived, they told Vicky Bell that the family had not paid the annual $75 fee for rural residents. Vicky Bell and her husband were forced to walk into the burning home in an attempt to retrieve their own belongings.
David Crocker, mayor of South Fulton defended the fire department, saying that if the fire department responded to people who did not pay the fee, then people would have no incentive to pay. He said he hoped this incident would motivate people to pay the fee.
Jin Period 4
12/7/2011 07:30:42 pm
This just makes me want to both laugh and stand staring in shock. Is it a joke? Since when did firefighters let houses burn down just because a family did not pay a bill? Although it would "motivate" more people to pay, it seems more like a threat.
Lillian Period 6
12/7/2011 08:49:21 pm
Okay, this is terrible. I can't even believe that the firefighters would just watch someone's house burn down when they know they could have helped them. I'm sure this family would've payed the 75$ if they had it. Now they were forced to go into their burning house and try to retrieve their belongings. This seems like a joke that the fire dept. would just stand there and let this happen. That's terrible.
jesse period 3
12/7/2011 10:36:41 pm
Thats pretty surprising. There shouldn't be a fee for that if they pay taxes. The fire department should definitely be in some kind of trouble for letting the house burn down so its pretty bad that the mayor is defending that. 75 dollars isn't worth letting somone's whole house get burned down.
Cara Period 2
12/7/2011 10:58:04 pm
That is crazy that a fire department refuses to save someones house from being completely caught on fire. They only owed 75 dollars! It's not like it was 75,000 dollars. I completely do not agree with this at all. Now, an entire family lost their house and all of the belongs inside. Disgusting.
Rob period 3
12/8/2011 03:41:00 am
Doesn't that go against everything we were taught? To help people who needed our help? Just because someone did not pay their taxes doesn't mean that the fire department can just stand idly by and let someones home burn down. Its ridiculous and I hope something gets done about this.
breannah 6
12/8/2011 04:56:52 am
This is insane. There is something morally wrong with this fire department to refuse to help a house from burning down. I'm sure the family would have been more than willing to pay the stupid fee if the firemen had saved thier house from burning down. I don't know how much damage was done from the fire but im sure seventy-five dollars is nothing compared to all of the financial damage caused by the fire. Not to mention the emotional damge. I know if this had happened to me now fair amount of justice could ever repay that. I cannot believe people are defending the fire department. The decisoin that was made is just cruel and unjust, I hope they are severly punished.
Monica Davtian
12/8/2011 05:21:02 am
This is just heartbreaking to hear. The people we rely on to help us and sometimes save us when our houses burn down , are standing there watching this familys house burn. What's even worse was that its over $75 !? Like Lillian said, if they had it they probably would've paid you don't just let someone's house of all there belongings and centimitnal stuff burn. That's terrible I hope these Firemen get fired from their jobs.
Nikkii Period
12/8/2011 05:23:29 am
Well that is an unnecessary and cruel punishment. This is pretty pathetic seeing how it was only over 75$; like what is so important about the 75$ that makes it acceptable for firemen to watch one’s home go up in flames? The mayor defending the firemen is dismal as well. His statement is a terrible excuse for the injustice the fireman committed. There are many other suitable punishments that could have been given instead. For example, community service would be a great form of punishment. No one deserves to lose their home, especially in this bad economy. Hopefully this will be one of those stories that have a silver lining.
Shai Period 6
12/8/2011 06:29:57 am
I think that is rediculous, just because they did not pay the 75$ fee now they have to spend more money with a whole new house. The fire department is supposed to be there whenever you need them you shouldn't have to pay a fee. I think they are scaring people into payin this fee, in fear that no one will help them if they have a problem.
Rakel period 1
12/8/2011 07:44:07 am
I think it is horrible that they let the house just burn down and that they didn't do anything to help them and simply because they didn't pay some fee.
SAM 3
12/8/2011 08:13:35 am
it doesnt matter if it's a fee or not. You shouldnt let a house burn down just because of that and the fact that the family could get injured trying to get their belongings. Im surprised they wont sue.
Jenna; Period 1
12/8/2011 08:14:56 am
I feel so bad for this family! :-( It really makes me sad that these people had to literally just deal with their house going up in flames right before their eyes because of their income. They couldn't pay $75, so how would the fire department expect them to pay off all these fee's they'll have for reconstruction on their house?! Some things just do not make sense and this is one of them.
Carrie Period 6
12/8/2011 08:27:39 am
This is absolutely terrible. I can not even fathom a fire department watching a family's house burn down in front of them when they were completely capable of putting the fire out just because the family couldn't pay $75. And really Mayor Crocker you are defending the fire department over $75? I thought that fire fighters are supposed to save people and their houses regardless because it is their JOB!! I am utterly appalled.
Katelyn R Per 2
12/8/2011 08:29:44 am
I cannot believe that the firefighters just watched this house burn down in front of them and did not help the cause. Firefighters are suppose to put out fires and help keep the family safe and allow the house to be partially livable with only some repairs. Just because this family did not pay their income, they are now forced to repair the entire house. It was also a bad part on the firefighters for allowing the family to enter the burning house to grab their belongings. These people could have been seriously injured because they do not have the proper equipment to enter a house of flames. This was a very bad decision for the firefighters which left a suffering family.
Anneliese period 6
12/8/2011 09:03:46 am
This is terrible that the firefighters watched the house burn just because the family didn't pay $75! They let the people going into a burning home, which is definitely wrong. Firefighters are supposed to protect people, not put their safety at risk.
Emma period 6
12/8/2011 09:22:28 am
I think the firefighters are crazy! Just because a family did not pay a $75 fee doesn't mean you can sit back and watch their house burn down, and make them go into the burning building and try to save their belongings. I mean seriously? You are firemen, most people would at least try to help the family instead of sitting there watching it burn. Why did they even show up? Why show up and watch. I agree that it might motivate people to pay their taxes, but you should at least try to help in some way.
Julia 6
12/8/2011 09:25:06 am
I agree with Anneliese and anybody else who said that this is wrong. HOW is this a motivation to pay the fee? The fire department is supposed to be the ones who put out the blazes, not stand by aimlessly. This is outrageous. What is wrong with the world today?
Deveny Dionne
12/8/2011 09:36:28 am
Like everyone else is saying this is crazy. This extra fee of $75 is pathetic! I believe there is something called taxes which cover things like this. Also the Mayor is also way out of wack how does he expect this to motivate people to pay the fee if this is how the fire department acts. The people of the town will not want to pay anything is this continues.
Ehamm period 2
12/8/2011 10:07:23 am
This is terrible. I sure hope this mayor got his money... oh wait! Of course he didn't! These people no longer have anything, their whole house was burned to the ground along with all of their belongings. This is not right in any way at all. This mayor should be sentenced for the attempted murder. This couple tried to run back into their burning home in a desperate attempt save the belongings they have in it. They could have died, and he allowed it! what kind of a political leader is he. There are so many other ways to go about this situation, for instance, the mayor could require a fee on the firefighter services if that person has not paid their other home fees. Its just crazy that of all the things this man could do to set an example, he chose this one... its unjust.
Evan Period 6
12/8/2011 10:42:02 am
I think this is a little ridiculous, but I can see where the fire department is coming from. If you forget to pay your heating bill and they shut your heat off, then whose fault is it? The Firefighters were just following orders. There were probably some who wanted to help, but if they were ordered not to then orders are orders, no matter how terrible they are. Also, sometimes the best way to get a point across is through punishment, and this seems like the appropriate situation where I could say that this was a little acceptable.
Shawn Period 3
12/8/2011 10:48:38 pm
What is wrong with people, like it's a fire. What if they were near a forest and they didn't put it out? Just gonna let the whole forest burn down because the fire started at their house.
Vence Period 6
12/9/2011 03:06:43 am
A firefighter's job is to put out fires. Not stand there and let a building burn down. So they did not pay fee, big deal. What kind of firefighters lets someones house burn to ashes.
Gabe Per. 2
12/9/2011 04:39:49 am
As terrible as this whole situation is, the state does have a point: if everyone didn't pay this fine, a lot of people would save money by not doing it, and be rewarded when their houses didn't burn down. It costs money to drive out to rural areas to put out fires, which is what the fine covers. If no one pays, the state loses a lot of money.
sarah period 6
12/9/2011 05:28:50 am
i can't believe this. that's terrible that the figrefighters didn't put out the fire. isn't that their job? i think that bizzare that they wouldn't put the fire out just because the family didn't pay a fee. but, i'm sure though that some firefighters wanted to put it out, but they were told not to, so it's not really totally their fault.
mike p.6
12/9/2011 07:13:42 am
wow, this is pretty messed up. how could you stand by a fire and watch a house burn to the ground when your job is to help the town with taking out fires! it is not necessarily the firefighters fault, but maybe someone higher up.
Dominique Period 4
12/9/2011 08:11:55 am
It’s shocking that the firefighters could just refuse to do their job due to an unpaid bill. It’s also horrible that the family lost their home and all their belongings and saw all their memories burn. I believe the firefighters should have helped regardless of an unpaid bill.
Erin period 1
12/9/2011 10:01:07 am
I think the family should have payed the $75 fee. They probably knew they had to when they moved to that area. However, I find what the firefighters did unacceptable. No one deserves to watch their home go up in flames while people that can do something about it are standing right next to them. The firefighters should have helped that family regardless of an unpaid fee.
Britney Period 1
12/9/2011 01:35:57 pm
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. The fire department should have saved the house without even thinking about it. That's their job. If I were a firefighter for that fire department I would have immediately tried saving that house even if I was risking losing my job. I would not want to live with the guilt of thinking I was the reason that family is homeless. Its not like the family owed thousands of dollars. It was 75 dollars, and now, not only did they lose their house, but everything inside.
Danielle Period 3
12/9/2011 10:30:33 pm
What a bunch of @!#$@*#. Yeah okay that will totally have everyone one paying their bills immediately. The mayor is now a walking target for people who live there. For a house that was worth well over $75.00 and all of the belongings they had are gone I feel like something should be done for them.
Alexis Period 1
12/9/2011 11:19:25 pm
it kindof makes sense, but still really cruel... it's a little "told you so!" for the family... now maybe they'll realize what bills to pay.
Heather Period 1
12/10/2011 12:15:25 am
This to me is a little shocking. I understand that the people did not pay there bills, but its sad that they would come and just watch their house burn down. Now, what do those people have? All because of 75 dollars.
Jack H Per. 2
12/10/2011 03:05:54 am
This is incredibly sad, to think that all of their precious heirlooms and furniture was destroyed in the fire and the firefighters wouldn't put it out because they didn't "pay the fee". I mean, its understandable that the firefighters would be upset because they didn't pay the fee, but to stand and watch as someones house burns down and they don't even feel compelled to help? That is atrocious
brenna per. 3
12/10/2011 09:13:40 am
all that over 75 dollars? Now how is this family supposed to pay their bills when they dont even have a roof over their head? i cant believe these people watched their home burn to the ground while there were firefighters present. im shocked that that was even legal.
Drisanna W. period 4
12/10/2011 10:43:20 am
Oh My Gosh! that is not fare and defeats the whole purpose of having a fire department! Those people lost everything because of a 75 dallar fine. HOW IS THAT FARE!!
Corey Period 2
12/10/2011 12:07:46 pm
What the hec man! What a cruel thing of these firefighters to do. I know they are just making an example of these people and following the rules. But in the end when they go back to the station, are they going to be satisfied with there night on the job? I don't think so. But then again it's just another day on the job as a fire fighter.
Haley p. 2
12/10/2011 08:30:34 pm
This is an example if the government taking to too far. Yes the family didn't pay but having them lose everything they have IS NOT fair punishment. This family has bigger fish to fry than a stupid 75 dollar fine.
Jessica Period 2
12/11/2011 06:33:32 am
This is one of the most horrific things I've read. I can't believe firemen stood by watching this whole thing happen! Yeah the family may not have paid a little fee, but the fact that in doing so cost them their whole home and all of their belongings is ridiculous! This is morally wrong and the government is at fault here. The fire department could have put out the fire and charged the family an extra fee, but instead they put them in danger and caused them to lose everything.
Lexi Period 1
12/12/2011 04:10:29 am
This is outrageous! No one deserves to have their home and belongings burn down with no hope or help. Because of the mayor and the fire department this family will go into way more debt then they may have already been in. Now they will need to pay for a new place to live and to buy new things that were lost in the fire. But no instead of helping this unfortunate family the fire department took away all their valuables and so many memories just by letting their house burn down.
Matt Period 4
12/13/2011 08:47:38 am
Well maybe they should have paid their 75 dollar fee and the firefighters would have helped them. It is a law to pay it so they need to obey the law. Comments are closed.
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