Remember that we're relying on Dale's memory for the entire quote not only for the word "fair"... What if it was IF instead of BECAUSE? "The cops wouldn't help him if he was on fire."

People do say:
I wouldn't help him IF he was on fire.
along the same line as:
I wouldn't give him the time of day.
I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot-pole.

(^_^) Anyway, people on fire should be the job of the fire department not the police. (^_^)