Montuori v. Narragansett Electric Co.

OPINION

BEVILACQUA, Chief Justice.

The plaintiff, Anthony Montuori, instituted this civil action to recover for property damage on his business premises. The damage resulted from a fire allegedly caused by the negligent maintenance of the electric power lines of the defendant, Narragansett Electric Company, a Rhode Island public utility corporation engaged in the distribution of electric power. The case was tried before a jury in the Superior Court. At the close of plaintiff’s case, the defendant made a motion for a directed verdict, which the trial justice denied. At the close of its own case,…