> "I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75"

Sympathy suitably tempered. I don't want to see anyone's house burned to the ground... but if it's going to happen to someone, I'd rather it be the guy who was knowingly freeloading than someone who was paying their way.

that is screwed up.

I'm guessing that if the fire department put out the fire then only people who's houses catch fire will pay. This probably won't generate enough revenue.