Voluntary firefighters (Hammond v. Wabana).

• Author: Mitchell, Teresa

An ungrateful owner of a building destroyed by a fire in Newfoundland sued the volunteer firefighters for negligence, alleging that they did not use proper methods to put out the fire. He alleged they should have cut a hole in the first floor and poured water down directly onto the fire; failed to supply sufficient water to cool down surrounding areas, and didn't call for more help soon enough. The trial judge dismissed the case and the owner appealed. The Newfoundland Court of Appeal was not sympathetic. It ruled that the trial judge correctly assessed the evidence and concluded that the actions of the volunteers were not negligent. The standard of care...