Mr. Homeowner was given the option to opt in to the city's fire protection district for a whopping $6 a month. He chose not to, and city policy dictated that when he lost that gamble, he paid the price. IF he had homeowner's insurance (50/50 chance) there's a good chance that they will not cover his loss because he chose not to take an inexpensive precaution.

That being said, most firefighters I know would have been sick, being forced to watch someone's home burn to the ground.