That is terrible. I worry a bit when fire works are let off in neighbourhoods. Last night and tonight people celebrating Victoria Day or May two four weekend as we usually call it and now that we have younger families the neighbourhood is lit up with fireworks. All of our houses are close together and it just takes one flaming firework out of control that can cause damage. We have so many green spaces within walking distance I don't know why people don't use them. I love fireworks but in the right location. We used to set them off in the driveway in a pail of sand away from the houses and trees.

2 cars or 3 cars gone? Sounds to me like that $100k estimate is pretty conservative with the damage you mentioned. When there's a lot of damage, often it's cheaper to replace than to repair. I imagine there's smoke and water damage too so this could be spendy for the seller.

Interesting situation. Raises a question or two, can you insure a house you no longer own? Can you continue your homeowners insurance when you live in a place without owning it or does it cover you until you've moved? The vehicles may be covered depending on their policy. Need an insurance agent to chime in on this one. Conceivably the buyer could have insurance on it and would have coverage then they would go after the seller for it who would have to be liable. Standard real estate contracts include a clause that you have to give it to the buyer in similar condition to when it was purchased. The buyer should be able to negate the sale if they want since the seller destroyed the property prior to giving possession but if they got a deal, they might want to go for the money instead and possibly other damages. In some communities, they can bill for the fire department services too. So there can be quite a bill generated from this.

Not much of a way to shed responsibility, it's pretty clear who was negligent. Cause is normally withheld until the investigation is completed but from the info given, it's pretty likely what the cause will be. They'll investigate whether there was a coincidental arson, whether they set the fire intentionally and tried to make it look like an accident and of course other possibilities. And if there's criminal charges it'll be all the worse for the seller(s). The sad part is that people can collect insurance when they're involved in criminal activities. There's something wrong with that.

I like fireworks but I realize the responsibility that goes with it and using them responsibly. It's people like this who screw things up for responsible people.

FWIW, this is why I refused to close on my house until I had possession and did a walk through inspection. Sellers didn't like it but I wouldn't handle it any other way (then or now) no matter what the real estate agents tried to pull or claim.

Awful! And awfully stupid!

About thirty years ago I was at home one afternoon and heard what sounded like a sonic boom, but near to the ground. Then came sirens as fire crews rushed to a nearby neighborhood. The middle of three brick Georgian homes was leveled and the other two became teardowns.

Fortunately there was only one fatality, the owner of the middle house, who -- unknown to his neighbors -- made and sold fireworks out of his basement. (I would question buying any house on that whole block, even today!)

Why were they in the house if the title had been transferred? Poor business decision. When we bought, the previous owners wanted to stay another day after settlement. The realtor made them sign a lease and pay $1 rent. She was protecting us.

Good grief, the world is filled with idiots.

This is a perfect example why fireworks should not be sold to the public. There is little to no information on how dangerous these things are or any training on how to use them. I so hate! that any idiot over 18 (in my area) can buy powerful explosives. I have seen them set off of balconies of an apartment complex where three buildings formed a u shape. They were set off inside the u close to power lines. In backyards where there were trees and sheds and houses all within ten feet of where they set them off. There are lots of open space and farm land where I live where these could safely be used, but then these dummies couldn't drink their beer and man it is soooooo much trouble to walk to these areas don't you know. A number of years ago I was at a party where everything was done right. The people letting off the fireworks had and open area, people were kept well clear of where they let them. They learned what they were supposed to do but this didn't prevent one of the fire works from shooting off into the wrong direction flying a foot above the ground across the yard in the blink of an eye to where all the cars where parked. Lucky for all of us it dove into the ground before hitting or exploding on any cars. And that it went left and not straight towards the people.
I need a license to have a dog, to go finshing, permits to build a fence rules to govern how tall that fence is. Why are their no laws to govern the use or why are are the bylaws not enforced that do exists. I would love it if before you could buy these you had to first go to a course where you learned all the ins and outs what to do when something goes wrong. And have a permit to buy and store these things. Or better yet donate the money they were going to spend on their own fireworks to the town who puts on an annual fireworks display that is a million times better show put on by actual professionals who know what they are doing.
Rant done thanks!

I agree, frogged. What idiots!!! I live out in the country and people come out here to shoot off fireworks because they often aren't allowed in city limits. My dogs aren't afraid, but most of my neighbor's dogs are. I have also noticed that a lot of the people buying fireworks are those who can ill afford it. Like one neighbor up the bayou....put on a display every year that would rival the one at Disney World. Yet his house was repossessed. What a waste of money!

Dedtired, sounds like the real estate agent was working for the seller there instead of protecting you, which is their obligation anyway. Real estate agents, unless they're a dedicated buyer's agent, cannot ethically do something to give a buyer an advantage. It's aka "follow the money". He who pays gets served. Proof: One dollar for a day's expenses? LOL That's crazy. Prorating out the daily cost of mortgage, insurance, taxes, insurance, electricity, gas, water, sewer, other utilities, assessments and everthing else, I wouldn't let them stay for less than probably a couple hundred at least. Let them go to a hotel and get 2 guys and a truck to haul the stuff to a storage center.

When my brother bought his house, the sellers wanted to stay in there for a couple months after closing. I wouldn't have done it but at least he listened to me and had an attorney handling things for him rather than the real estate agent and the attorney wrote a moving agreement and they paid something like $150/wk plus indemnification against liability and any damage. This was back in the 70s so the rates would go up by now!

It's interesting how real estate agents hate when someone has an attorney represent them. I'll give my agent credit for that much, he did suggest that I hire an attorney, which of course I was going to do anyway. But the sellers' agent was angry and the closing agent was so embarrassed because my attorney caught them overcharging me on the per diem. It of course was to the advantage of the seller. Gee, anyone surprised? LOL When I bought, they wanted to stay a while longer and I said that's fine, we reschedule the closing and I'd start looking again because I wouldn't commit if I found something else. Of course the agents jumped up and down and I said it's simple, no possession, no closing. And when I go there after closing, they'd better not be in the house. They were.

A lot of situations are actually funny when you look past the tragic parts. Nobody was injured or killed, nobody maimed, items can be replaced and repaired. And it should teach a few lessons about being nice and accommodating when it comes to business.