KIRKSVILLE, MO --  

Not paying your fire dues could be a costly mistake.
  
A Tennessee man's home burned to the ground because he did not pay membership dues to his fire district. His story is catching national attention.
  
Without the annual fee, those firefighters were required by law not to put out the fire, and it could easily happen to you.
 
Adair County Fire Chiefs Association President James Snyder says this can and does happen in Missouri.
  
Volunteer fire departments do not have to respond if a non-member's house catches fire.
   
Or they can charge the resident $150 for responding, and then an additional $500 per hour.
   
A typical structure fire would probably cost around $2700 to fight.
   
The cost of annual fire memberships ranges from$40 to $60.
   
Snyder says only 25 percent of those living in Eastern Adair County's district have paid their dues.