Fire safety breach charges against M&S dropped

The recent charges relating to alleged fire safety breaches at one of Marks and Spencer stores has now been dropped by prosecutors, according to a recent BBC news report.

The charges were brought against M&S after a fire broke out in the stockroom of one of its stores in Braehead near Glasgow in March 2008. Prosecutors alleged that store bosses failed to properly evacuate the branch when the fire broke out, and also allowed customers to continue to enter the store after the fire had been detected.

It was also alleged that the store violated the Fire (Scotland) Act through breaches relating to fire risk assessments, emergency planning and the installation of fire alarms in the affected stockroom.

However, new evidence has reportedly come to light and the case has been dropped. A Crown Office spokesperson has stated:

“The procurator fiscal at Glasgow determined there was sufficient evidence to raise proceedings against Marks and Spencer Plc following an incident on 5 March 2008.

“The procurator fiscal has now reviewed this case in light of further evidence, including expert reports, and concluded that it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute.

“There will be no further proceedings and the case is now closed.”