Pennsylvania Act 1915-155 — FIRES, LIABILITY FOR PLACED ON PERSONS OR CORPORATIONS

Act text

FIRES, LIABILITY FOR PLACED ON PERSONS OR CORPORATIONS
                  Act of May 6, 1915, P.L. 262, No. 155               Cl. 53
                                  AN ACT

     Imposing certain liabilities on persons, firms, and
        corporations, in cities of the second class, for the cost of
        extinguishing fires which occur through their criminal
        intent, design or wilful negligence, or where they have not
        complied with any law, ordinance, or other lawful regulation
        for the prevention of fire or the spreading thereof;
        providing a method for the ascertainment of such cost, and
        the manner of collecting the same.
        Section 1.  Be it enacted, &c., That where a fire originates
     on the premises, in cities of the second class, cities of the
     third class, and boroughs, occupied by any person, firm, or
     corporation, as a result of his or its criminal intent, design,
     or wilful negligence, or where said person, firm, or corporation
     has failed to comply with any law or ordinance of said cities or
     boroughs, or any lawful regulation or requirement of any State
     or municipal authority, enacted or made for the prevention of
     fire or the spreading thereof, such person, firm, or corporation
     shall, in addition to the present penalties for the punishment
     of persons convicted of arson, or the payment of any fine or
     penalty for the violation of any law, ordinance, or lawful
     regulation or requirement of any State or municipal authority
     enacted or made for the prevention of fire or the spreading
     thereof, be liable in a civil action to said cities and boroughs
     for the payment of all costs and expenses of the fire
     departments of said cities and boroughs, incurred in and about
     the use of employes receiving compensation for services,
     apparatus, and material in the extinguishment of, or any attempt
     to extinguish, any fire originating as aforesaid. The amount of
     such costs and expenses shall be determined by the directors of
     the department of public safety in cities of the second and
     third class, and by the burgess in all boroughs. The amount of
     such costs and expenses shall be determined by the directors of
     public safety and the burgess, based upon the wages of paid
     firemen and other officials for the time they were engaged in
     the extinguishment or the attempt to extinguish such fire, a
     reasonable amount as rental for the use of the apparatus, and
     the cost of water or other material used in the extinguishment
     or the attempt to extinguish such fire, with an additional
     amount of ten per centum on the total amount, as aforesaid, as
     supervisory or overhead charges; and the said amounts collected
     shall be paid into the city or borough treasury for the use and
     maintenance of the fire departments.
        (1 amended May 25, 1921, P.L.1111, No.409)