Adams v. Carolina Tel. & Tel. Co.

MARTIN (Robert M.)f Judge.

The difficult question presented by plaintiffs’ appeal is whether under the law of North Carolina defendant’s delay in connecting plaintiffs with the local fire department would constitute actionable negligence in a situation where plaintiffs’ home was damaged by fire, smoke, and water allegedly by reason of defendant’s delay.

Our courts have considered a similar question on only two other occasions. While the present appeal challenges the appropriateness of a directed verdict and the previous cases dealt with the appropriateness of a demurrer, we believe the prior…