the fact that the man probably would have never paid them.
think about it, his house was in the process of burning down. Do you think he was thinking rationally? "oh, i've got constant stable income, and though my excess income will be gone, i can pay off the costs!"
No, it was probably more like "i'll sell you this house, my children, my wife, and half my belongings if you save this"
its a service he didn't pay for, thus, he didn't receive. Sucks, but i doubt he'll opt out of paying the fee next time