House burns to ground in South Fulton Tennessee Obion County
On September 29, 2010 a man by the name of Gene Cranick lost his home, 3 dogs and a cat. So you may be asking why? Or how did he lose his home? He lost it to a fire. It's sad yes. But what is even sadder than losing your house to a fire? Losing your house to a fire, while the fire department stands there and watches it burn. Some of you may have already heard of this story in South Fulton, Tennessee. Some of you may not have.
Apparently in Obion County, South Fulton, Tennessee you have to pay a $75 dollar fire department fee that is completely separate from the taxes. And if that is not paid the county implements a "No pay no spray" law. Basically stating that if you do not pay the $75 to the fire department annually, they will not respond to your place of residence to put out the fire. And this is what happened to Mr. Cranick and his family on that fateful day.
The fire department was only at the scene of the fire because the fire from Mr. Cranick's home spread into the neighboring yard. The neighbors apparently paid their $75 fee. And they sprayed the yard of the neighbor only. It is sad that any one with a moral conscience would stand around and let a man lose his home due to a non-payment of $75. It makes me sick to think that such things are even in place.
Unfortunately the fire did start because Mr. Cranick's grandson was burning trash to close to the house and it got out of control. They called 911, but the operator informed them that they would not and could not respond to the call because their names were not on the list of payers of the $75 fee. Explain to me how a fire department, or 911 operator has the time to look at a list of names to see who does and does not qualify for emergency services when there is clearly an emergency taking place? I thank goodness that no human was left in that house, because they for sure would be dead if they had been.
The order to not save the house was given by the Fire Chief David Wilds. According to reports a son of Mr. Cranick's was arrested after the fire for assaulting the Fire Chief. But do you blame him? How can Mr. Cranick's son not be upset about this matter? Especially when the entire fire department is standing there watching as the house burns to the ground? Wouldn't you be equally as upset?
Isn't the fire department, with out question, a life/property saving emergency service? There for making it no less important than, say, law enforcement, emergency medical services, or even rescue services? So why did this happen? Over a measly $75? Mr. Cranick begged and pleaded with the fire department and the 911 operator to save his home and possessions and offered to pay whatever the cost. But was denied the services.
What happens when you have a family that barely makes it through the month and lives paycheck to paycheck, and can't afford the $75 a year? This kind of Government service, where you can't recieve help unless you pay a anual fee, will kill the economy more than it has. In a sense we could have more homeless people on the streets if, heaven forbid, their houses burn and they can't afford to pay.
What moral compass do these firefighters have if they can stand and watch a house being burnt to the ground? Firefighters, who become what they are, who are destined to help those in need. And when the person who is in need can't or didn't pay they let his home and everything he owns burn?
It makes me sick to my stomach and my heart goes out to the family in their time of tragedy. And again I'm grateful that no person was in the house at the time of the fire.
Some people are saying that Mr. Cranick got what he deserved when he neglected to pay the $75 annual fee. What are your thoughts and opinions? Do you think they should have intervened and saved his home? Or do you think that they did the right thing by letting it burn because he didn't pay?
