Tennessee Homeowner Gets $19K Bill for Firefighter Services

A Knox County man whose house caught fire in January has received a $19,000 firefighting bill.

WVLT-TV reported Chris Curl was flabberghasted at the charge, but Rural/Metro Fire Chief Jerry Harnish says such charges are common.

The station reported Curl lives outside Knoxville city limits. The company contracts for emergency services within the city. People who live outside of it can subscribe for fire protection, but Curl said he had no idea he had to pay for it.

Rural/Metro says it responds to calls from non-subscribers as a matter of public safety.

Insurance covers fire damage to Curl’s home, but not the bill for firefighting.