§ 6501 — Liability for negligent burning

If any owner, tenant or occupier of land within the State sets fire to any brush or other combustible matter on such land for any purpose whatsoever, and in setting fire to such brush or other combustible matter omits to observe reasonable care and prudence, by reason whereof the property, real or personal, of any other person is destroyed or impaired, such owner, tenant or occupier is liable to pay the damage resulting therefrom, which may be recovered in a civil action brought in any court having jurisdiction. Damages to an amount not exceeding $200 may be recovered in an action before any justice of the peace of the county wherein the fire occurred. In case of a recovery before a justice of the peace, no further recovery shall be had by the plaintiff therein or the plaintiff’s legal representatives of damages resulting from the same fire.

Legislative History

16 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1 ; Code 1915, § 3447; Code 1935, § 3907; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 6501; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1