Tennessee Firemen Watch House Burn

Is it possible I actually live in the same country as the Cranicks, whose house burned down while firemen WATCHED!!!!!??????

According to ABC news, the Cranicks forgot to pay their $75 annual fee. The fee is assessed to those who live outside the city limits. I think there is something seriously wrong when citizens do not volunteer to help their neighbors who are in trouble!!!!!

Wouldn't it just make more sense to assess an additional $75 tax to each house in town and call it a day?

I guess I'm lucky that my rural town includes a full-time firefighter and truck in our taxes, but we have lots of volunteer firefighters who pitch in. Surrounding towns also help each other when necessary.