Hunt v. Briggs

(on reassignment).

Appellants brought separate actions to recover damages to their several properties caused by fire which spread to the appel*567lants’ lands from adjoining land on which the respondents, or their employers, were engaged in haying operations. The two separate cases were joined at the trial court level for purposes of trial and motions, and are joined for appeal purposes. The appellants’ complaints, as amended, each stated two “counts,” the first alleging simply negligent operations, and the second alleging liability based upon the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur. The respondents, by…