Section 34. Liability of property owner to pay compensation

34. (1) Any person whose property catches fire on account of an action of his own or of his agent done deliberately or negligently shall be liable to pay compensation to any other person suffering damage to his property on account of any action taken under section 17 of this Act by an officer mentioned therein or any person acting under the authority of such officer. (2) All claims under sub-section (1) shall be referred to the Appellate Authority, within thirty days from the date when the damage was caused. (3) The Appellate Authority, shall, after giving the party an opportunity of being heard, determine the amount of compensation due and pass an order stating such amount and the person liable for the same, and the order so passed shall have the force of a decree of a Civil Court within thirty days as mentioned in section.