This is Utterly Outrageous!!

I read this story and was totally outraged.
Of course I have questions about the whole thing. They will be at the end of the article.

Firefighters let home burn; owner didn't pay fee

The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 2:37 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 2:37 p.m.

SOUTH FULTON, Tenn. — Authorities say firefighters in a far western Tennessee city let a mobile home burn down because the owner didn't pay a $75 yearly fee for fire protection.

Jeff Vowell, city manager of South Fulton, told the Union City Daily Messenger that the city fire department let Gene Cranick's doublewide trailer home burn last week because he didn't pay the subscription common in many rural areas.

Cranick's home is outside city limits, but South Fulton offers fire protection to nearby residents for a fee and did protect a neighboring house that paid.

Police say Cranick's son was so angry he later went to the fire house and punched the chief.

City officials didn't return calls and a message left at a phone listing for Gene Cranick was not immediately returned.

How can anyone just stand by and watch a persons home burn without helping?

What if there had been someone inside?

Who took the time before leaving the fire station to look in the books and see if the victim had paid their fee and do they do this every time they have a fire call?

Aren't the fees collected by the county and as such fall under county rules and regulations? And why would they have a rule such as this?

I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this story.