(Mishnah): If a Nochri comes to extinguish, [the owners of the burning property] do not (i.e. may not) tell him to extinguish, nor do (must) they tell him not to extinguish, because his rest on Shabbos is not their responsibility;

However, if a minor comes to extinguish, we do not allow him, for you (his father) are responsible that he rest.

(Gemara): In the days of R. Ami, a fire erupted in the village. R. Imi announced in the market of Nochrim, and said "one who does (extinguishes) will not lose.''

R. Elazar bei R. Yosah (to R. Yosah): There was [mortal] danger. (PNEI MOSHE)

Objection: If there was danger, even R. Ami could extinguish!

Was it not taught that anything with danger, we do not say that these matters [Chilul Shabbos for Piku'ach Nefesh should be done through woman and children, rather, even though Gedolim of Yisrael!

(Beraisa): A case occurred in which a fire erupted in the Chatzer of Yosi ben Simai in Sichin. The [Nochri] authorities of Tzipori came to extinguish; he did not let them. He told them "let the Gabai (Hash-m) collect his debt.'' (I will lose what I deserve to lose.)

Immediately, a cloud came there (rain fell) and extinguished it. On Motza'ei Shabbos, he sent a Sela to everyone [who came to extinguish but consented to refrain] and 50 Dinarim to the mayor.

Chachamim: He did not need to do so (stop them).

There was a Nochri from Nafta in the neighborhood of R. Yonah. A fire erupted in R. Yonah's Nafta neighborhood [on Shabbos]; the Nafti wanted to extinguish it, and R. Yonah did not let him.

The Nafti told him "you have responsibility for [any losses that will come to] my property!'' R. Yonah agreed. The entire area was saved.

[A fire erupted, and] R. Yudan of Kefar Imi spread his garment over a stack, and the fire went away from it.

(Mishnah): However, if a minor comes to extinguish, we do not allow him.

Question: Was it not taught that if they saw [a minor] gathering grass, you are not responsible [to stop him]?!

Answer: There, [the adult] does not need the grass. Here, he needs the extinguishing.

(Mishnah): One may put a bowl over a Ner to prevent the ceiling beam from catching fire, and over excrement of a child, and over a scorpion so it will not bite;

R. Yehudah says, a case occurred in front of R. Yochanan ben Zakai in Arev, and he said "I suspect that he is Chayav Chatas.''

(Gemara): This is like R. Shimon bei R. Yanai said - I did not hear this from my father. My sister told me in his name that an egg laid on Yom Tov (it is Muktzah, for it is Nolad), we may put a Kli next to it so it not roll, but one may not cover it with a Kli [for then it is blatantly for the sake of the Kli].

(Shmuel): One may even cover it with a Kli.

(Mishnah): And over excrement of a child.

Question: Is it not food for chickens? (One may overtly move it!)

Answer (R. Ukvan): The case is, there are children [in the Chatzer. He is concerned] lest they come to smear it [and get filthy through it].

(Mishnah): And over a scorpion so it will not bite. A case occurred in front of R. Yochanan ben Zakai in Arev, and he said "I suspect that he is Chayav Chatas.''

R. Ula: [R. Yochanan ben Zakai] spent 18 years in Arev, and only these two episodes (Halachic questions) came to him. He said Galil, Galil - you hate Torah! In the end, you will be afflicted through robbers!