The guy flat out stated "well, I figured they would respond even if I didn't pay my dues."  How much more blatant could he get?   He wanted everyone else to pay for the equipment while he thumbed his nose at them.   If everyone refused to pay the dues, there would be no protection association and no equipment to come out and make you mad.    

I'm not saying he deserved to have a fire, but the fire protection association did not start his fire.  He got exactly the response he paid for.