Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapters 61 to 75 Villages § 70.11

Sec. 11.(1) The chief in charge of the department at any fire, with the concurrence of the president or any 2 trustees, may cause any building to be pulled down or destroyed to arrest the progress of the fire.

(2) If a building is so pulled down or destroyed, a person having an interest in the building may present a claim for damages to the council of the village.The council shall pay the claimant damages as may be just under all the circumstances, taking into consideration whether or not such loss would probably have occurred to the building even if it had not been pulled down or destroyed, and whether the building was insured or not.

(3) If the council and the claimant are not able to agree upon the amount of damages to be paid, then the amount of damages shall be ascertained by the appraisal of a jury to be selected in the same manner as in cases of a jury to appraise damages for taking private property for public use.The jury may visit the premises and may hear all the proofs in the case, and shall allow the claimant the amount of damages as they may consider proper under the standard set forth in subsection (2).

(4) If the jury is not able to agree, a new jury shall be empaneled as provided in subsection (3) until a jury is obtained that does agree.

(5) The council shall pay such claimant the amount of damages fixed by a jury under subsection (3) or (4).