Nor I. I love the discussion thread. FR tends to be libertarian, pro private business, pro personal responsibility. But, this discussion is largely nanny state, IMHO.
The guy would have known that to get the service, he had to pay for the service. He chose not to pay for the service. His garage burnt down. And the problem is?
LOL. No doubt each one who thought this guy should have received free protection, regardless of the community folks who chose to fund a volunteer subscription fire service, provided that funding through subscription, and required that those who received the service must pay for it in advance, would also provide their goods and services for free. Or maybe they would provide their goods and services with the understanding that only if the individual who got the good or service felt it was worth it, paid.
A government funded fire station is a completely different matter, as government agencies are in theory founded for the good of the general public and paid for by taxes - probably both local and federal. Therefore, I believe they would be obligated to assist if no other assistance was available.
It appears to me that basically the guy made a bet, by not purchasing the service, and lost.
"It appears to me that basically the guy made a bet, by not purchasing the service, and lost."
That's exactly what happened. It is the same bet as not carrying ouse insurance.
He lost.