Cole v. United States Fire Ins. Co.

I cannot agree with the result reached by Mr. Justice WEADOCK.

The house was damaged by both explosion and fire. Plaintiffs recovered for the whole damage on the theory it was all a fire loss. Defendants denied liability for that part of the damage caused by the explosion. The proofs attempted no determination of the loss attributable to each.

The facts are undisputed. The events in sequence were that Sickrey scattered gasoline in the basement with the purpose of burning the house, he went outside, threw a lighted match through the open window, the flame caused the gasoline vapor to ignite, an…