Vannett v. Michigan Public Service Co.

Plaintiffs were the owners of a garage and hardware building in the village of New Era, Michigan, which was completely destroyed by fire during the evening of October 25, 1936. Plaintiffs’ building was located on the east side of Main street, facing west and immediately south of a building known as the Postema building. There was an 8- or 10-foot space between the two buildings. The fire started in the northeast part of the Postema building at about 9:30 p. m., and soon spread over and consumed both buildings.

The Postema building where the fire originated was a wood frame structure sheathed…