Anderson v. Minneapolis, St. P. & S. St. M. Ry. Co.
Minnesota Supreme Court
179 N.W. 45 (Minn. 1920)
Relevant factsFree
A fire started by the Railroad's (defendant) engine merged with a second fire of unknown origin, and the combined fire destroyed Anderson's (plaintiff) property; the jury found for Anderson, and the Railroad argued it shouldn't be liable because it couldn't be shown its fire alone caused the damage.
IssueFree
Whether someone who negligently starts a fire may be liable if the fire damages property in combination with a fire of unknown origin, and either fire would have damaged the property independently of the other, if the negligently started fire was a material factor in the destruction.