Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1933

Merritt v. Tide Water Power Co.

Merritt v. Tide Water Power Co.
Supreme Court of North Carolina · Decided October 11, 1933 · Stacy
171 S.E. 90; 205 N.C. 259; 1933 N.C. LEXIS 525 (South Eastern Reporter)

Merritt v. Tide Water Power Co.

Opinion of the Court

*260 Stacy, C. J.

Conceding, without deciding, the evidence is sufficient to warrant the inference that the fire originated from some defect in the electrical equipment (Turner v. Power Co., 154 N. C., 131, 69 S. E., 767, 32 L. R. A. (N. S.), 848; 9 R. C. L., 1196), nevertheless it also establishes the fact, contrary to the allegations of the complaint, that the defendant was under no duty to inspect or to maintain the lighting-equipment in the stockade in a safe condition. Small v. Utilities Co., 200 N. C., 719, 158 S. E., 385; 9 R. C. L., 1204. This differentiates the case from Collins v. Electric Co., 204 N. C., 320, 168 S. E., 500, cited and strongly relied upon by the plaintiff.

The action was properly dismissed as in case of nonsuit.

Affirmed.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.