Tenant Liability for Fire Damage Due to Latent Electrical Defect

A dispute arose concerning the liability of a tenant for damages to leased premises following a fire, where the tenant argued the fire was caused by a latent defect in the electrical wiring, which was a structural element of the building and not the tenant's responsibility under the lease or general law. The Court of Cassation quashed the lower court's decision, reasoning that the obligation for tenants to restore premises to their original condition, as stipulated by general law and lease agreements, does not exempt them from liability for damages caused by a fire originating in their premises, even if the fire was caused by an alleged latent electrical defect, because the tenant must prove the origin of the fire was due to circumstances that legally excuse them, such as force majeure or fault of a third party, which the lower court failed to establish.