Mealey's (November 5, 2015, 11:56 AM EST) -- AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas appeals panel on Nov. 3 affirmed a jury verdict in favor of a couple who claimed that the general contractor of a home they leased was negligent in constructing an outdoor fireplace that caused a fire that damaged the home and their personal belongings, finding that the contractor owed a duty to the plaintiffs (Zbranek Custom Homes Ltd. v. Joe Allbaugh, et al., No. 03-14-00131-CV, Texas App., 3rd Dist., 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 11268)....