Cobbs v. Veith

BEER, Judge.

Mr. and Mrs. Cobbs seek damages against the owner and the alleged tenant of premises where a fire allegedly started and spread to their leased dwelling, contending that the fire was caused by the negligent maintaining of an obvious fire hazard. The owner of the property where the fire originated also sued the alleged tenant, and the cases were consolidated for hearing before the commissioner, whose report, approved by the trial judge, dismissed all claims and precipitated this appeal.

The commissioner initially addressed the issue of control of the premises where the fire started…