Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 160, § 241: Expense of extinguishing fire; liability of railroad

Section 241. Any railroad corporation which, by its servants or agents, negligently, or in violation of law, sets fire to grass lands or forest lands shall be liable to any city or town where such fire occurs, for the reasonable and lawful expense incurred by such city or town in the extinguishment of the fire.

Cities and towns may recover in contract in the superior court sums to which they are entitled under this section.