Tenant’s friend’s lit cigarette burned down deck

[Johnathan Fisk]

Hey all, glad to have found this site! Unfortunately i got a call saying my house was on fire, and learn that fortunately just the back deck burned down. Old house, so bringing it to code and what not brings the total up to 14k. The tenant’s friend was smoking a cigarette, and it was concluded by the fire department that was the source of the fire.

Here’s the rub, tenant doesn’t have renters insurance, let alone one with a fire clause. Tenant’s friend does. Is it possible for my tenant and his friend to claim for my property damage for the deck?

To be clear, the tenant and his friend are paying up regardless and haven’t given any intention on not. I’ve had him for years and just trying to do the best i can to help him out with this (aside from paying it myself!)