Hutchinson v. Boston Gas Light Co.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Tort for injuries sustained by the plaintiff in jumping from a burning building near the corner of Washington Street and Summer Street in Boston, on the night of November 10, 1872, the fire being alleged to have been caused by an explosion of gas, through the defendant’s negligence.
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Tort for injuries sustained by the plaintiff in jumping from a burning building near the corner of Washington Street and Summer Street in Boston, on the night of November 10, 1872, the fire being alleged to have been caused by an explosion of gas, through the defendant’s negligence. Trial in this court, before Lord, J., who, at the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, directed a verdict for the defendant, and reported the case for the consideration of the full court, on the question whether there was any evidence for the jury of the defendant’s negligence. If there was such evidence, the…
1Opinion of the CourtColt, J.
The question upon this report is, whether the plaintiff’s evidence would warrant the jury in finding that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of the fire and the injuries complained of.
There was evidence that the fire, which was communicated to the building, was caused by an explosion of gas in the vicinity, and it is contended that there was evidence tending to show that this gas was negligently permitted by the defendant to escape from the street mains, or suffered afterwards to remain accumulated in the neighboring sewers and cesspools in dangerous quantities. The fire followed close…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Kendall v. City of BostonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1875
3Cited by18 opinions
- Stone v. Boston & Albany RailroadMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1898
- Koelsch v. Philadelphia Co.Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1893
- Dolham v. PetersonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1937
- Smith v. Boston Gas Light Co.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1880
- Gelinas v. New England Power Co.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1971
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