Melvin v. E. B. A. L. Stone Co.

This is an appeal from a judgment awarding plaintiff damages in the sum of $307.50 and enjoining defendants from operating engines or machinery within certain described limits near to the dwelling-house of plaintiff, using fuel oil emitting offensive odors or greasy dirt, soot or smoke upon the property of plaintiff.

It is the same case as No. 441, in which we have this day affirmed the order denying defendant's motion for a new trial, but comes before us on a separate appeal upon the judgment-roll alone.

Appellants urge that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in that the nuisance complained of is a public nuisance, and is not shown by the allegations of the complaint to be specially injurious to plaintiff.

The complaint, among other things, substantially alleges that defendants are and have been operating a steam shovel and steam engines near to the dwelling of plaintiff, using oil fuel emitting large quantities of greasy soot, dirt and smoke, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment by plaintiff of her said property, and that said soot and smoke have damaged and injured the house and furniture of plaintiff in the sum of $500, and that unless defendants be enjoined from so operating said engines and machinery further damage and injury will be done the said house and furniture of plaintiff.

The facts pleaded in this case bring it within the principle laid down in Fisher v. Zumwalt, 128 Cal. 493, [61 P. 82], and followed by this court in Meek v. De Latour, 2 Cal.App. 261, [83 P. 300].

It was held in Fisher v. Zumwalt, 128 Cal. 493, [61 P. 82], that a nuisance, the effect of which extends to the dwelling-houses of neighbors to such an extent as to render their occupancy materially uncomfortable, is a private nuisance as to each person thus injured, for which he may have his private action. In such action the nuisance may be enjoined or abated, as well as damages recovered. (Code Civ. Proc., sec. 731.)

Neither do we think that the injunction should have been refused, upon the ground that plaintiff could have been compensated by damages. The court found that plaintiff's property had been injured and damaged, and also that large quantities of greasy soot, dirt and smoke were frequently emitted from the engines operated by defendants, which by its offensive odor interfered with the comfortable enjoyment by plaintiff of her residence and dwelling-house, and that by the use of said engines there would be emitted large quantities of greasy smoke, dirt and soot, which would occasion further damage and injury to the house and furnishings of plaintiff.

In Wahle v. Reinbach, 76 Ill. 322, the court, speaking of threatened injuries that may be enjoined, said: "By irreparable injury is not meant such injury as is beyond the possibility of repair, or beyond possible compensation in damages, nor necessarily great injury or great damage, but that species of injury, whether great or small, that ought not to be submitted to on the one hand, or inflicted on the other, and because it is so large on the one hand or so small on the other, is of such constant and frequent occurrence that no fair or reasonable redress can be had therefor in a court of law."

In Holsman v. Boiling Springs Bleaching Co., 14 N.J. Eq. 335, it is said: "Where the nuisance operates to destroy health, or diminish the comfort of a dwelling, an action at law furnishes no adequate remedy, and the party injured is entitled to protection by injunction."

To the same effect are Cleveland v. Citizens' Gas Lt. Co.,20 N.J. Eq. 205, Ross v. Butler, 19 N.J. Eq. 294, [97 Am. Dec. 654], and Wolcott v. Meleck, 11 N.J. Eq. 204, [66 Am. Dec. 790].

The judgment in this case enjoins defendants from operating engines or machinery, near to the dwelling-house of plaintiff, "using fuel oil emitting offensive odors, or greasy dirt, soot or smoke upon the said property of plaintiff." This judgment was justified by the facts found. It was reasonably necessary in order to protect the plaintiff in the comfortable enjoyment of her dwelling.

The judgment is affirmed.

Cooper, P. J., and Kerrigan, J., concurred.