The Nation - News from April 12, 1985

The volunteer Fire Departmant in Salem, Ark., which drew criticism in February for letting a house burn because its owner had not paid a $20 annual fee, let two adjacent furniture shops be destroyed by flames because the owner had let his membership lapse. “It went through my mind, ‘here we go again, “‘ Chief Ronnie Courtney said. “But that did not hamper my decision. There is nothing we do once we determine there is no danger to membership property.” He said notices had been sent to the owner of the buildings.