Mishnah Bava Kamma

If one causes a fire through a deaf person, a mentally incompetent person, or a minor, that one is exempt from human law but liable under the law of heaven. If one caused it through a legally competent person, the legally competent person is liable. If one brought the flame and then another brought the wood, the one who brings the wood is liable; if one brought the wood and then another brought the flame, the one who brings the flame is liable. If another came and fanned it into flame, the one who fanned it is liable. If the wind fanned it, they are all exempt.

If one causes a fire, and it consumed trees, stones, or soil, he is liable, as it is said: If a flame breaks out and finds thorns, and the grain stack or the standing grain or the field is consumed, the one who sets the fire shall surely pay (Exodus 22:6).

If it spread across a fence that is four cubits high, or a public road, or a river, he is exempt.

One who lights a fire on his own property, how far may the fire spread [and the person who lit the fire still be held liable]?

R. Eleazer b. Azariah says: They deem it as if it is in the middle of a kor-sized plot [i.e., a plot large enough to plant a kor of seed].

R. Eliezer says: Sixteen cubits, like a public road.

R. Akiva says: Fifty cubits.

R. Simeon says: The one who sets the fire shall surely pay (ibid.); it all depends upon the [nature of the] fire.

Translated by Christine Hayes.