Barnett v. Virginia Public Service Co.

W. T. Barnett instituted this action of trespass on the case for his own benefit, as well as for the benefit of two fire insurance companies, against the Virginia Public Service Company, to recover the sum of $10,000, by reason of the destruction of his dwelling house by fire.

We will hereinafter refer to the parties as plaintiff and defendant in the respective positions occupied by them in the trial court.

The plaintiff contends that the destruction of his dwelling was due to a fire communicated from a tree ignited through contact with an electric wire, which contact was caused by the swaying…