Cerny-Pickas & Co. v. C. R. Jahn Co.

Cerny-Pickas & Company leased to C. R. Jahn Company a large industrial building with machinery and equipment. The building was destroyed by fire. A jury found that the fire was caused by the negligence of the lessee, and the primary question here is whether under the provisions of the lease the lessee is responsible for the loss.

The lessor and the Orient Insurance Company, as subrogee under the lessor’s insurance policy, brought an action in the superior court of Cook County against the lessee to recover damages for the loss of the leased building, machinery and equipment. The lessor claimed…