Turberville v Stampe (1697) 91 ER 1072 is an English tort law case concerning vicarious liability, also known as the respondeat superior doctrine.
The employee or "servant" of the defendant negligently began a fire which spread to and damaged a neighbour's house.
Moreover, he had directed the employee the proper method of lighting fires, orders which were not followed.
Lord Chief Justice Holt gave judgment.
as man ought to keep the fire in his field, as well from the doing of damage to his neighbour as if it were in his house… if a stranger set fire to my house, and it burns my neighbour’s house, no action will lie against me… But if my servant throws dirt into the highway, I am indictable.