Buckeye Union Fire Insurance v. State

Facts and Proceedings

Industrial property in Detroit, known as the Briggs-Meldrum Plant, was bid off at tax sale in May, 1961, to the State of Michigan for unpaid taxes. Title was conveyed to the state by tax deed of the Auditor General dated June 1, 1962. Buildings on the premises caught fire on April 10, 1963. The fire spread to neighboring properties. Plaintiffs paid for losses to such properties and commenced suit in the Court of Claims to recover from the state. That court denied recovery. The Court of Appeals affirmed (13 Mich App 498). We granted leave to appeal (381 Mich 814).

Plaintiffs…