If a building is on fire, the fire department chief or acting chief engineer may order it destroyed with the mayor’s concurrence. People with an interest in a destroyed building may request damages in writing within six months, and if the parties cannot agree the matter goes to three commissioners.
Sec. 342.005. DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS; CLAIM. (a) If a building in the municipality is on fire, the chief or acting chief engineer of the fire department with the concurrence of the mayor may order the burning building, or any other building determined to be hazardous and likely to transmit the fire to additional buildings, to be destroyed. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the municipality and the officers that act under Subsection (a) are not liable for damages resulting from the destruction. (c) Within six months after the date a building is destroyed under this section, a person who has an interest in the building may apply in writing to the governing body of the municipality to request the governing body to assess and pay the damages of the person. If the governing body and the claimant cannot agree on the terms of adjustment, they shall refer the application to three commissioners, one appointed by the claimant, one appointed by the governing body, and one appointed jointly by both parties. The commissioners must be qualified voters and owners of real property in the municipality. The commissioners shall swear to faithfully execute their duty to the best of their ability. They may subpoena and swear witnesses. They shall give all parties a fair and impartial hearing and shall give notice of the time and place of each meeting. They shall take into account the probabilities of the destruction of the building by fire if the municipality had not destroyed the building and the loss of any insurance on the property caused by the destruction. They may report that no damages should equitably be allowed to the claimant. If a report is made and confirmed for the appraisal of the damages, compliance with the terms of that report by the governing body constitutes full satisfaction of those damages. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. SUBCHAPTER B. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITY