Landlords told to make sure they meet safety standards
Yorkshire landlords and agents are being told to make sure they conform to current fire safety regulations after a huge blaze broke out at a building in Scarborough.
The fire broke out in the Queen Street flat in May last year. Landlord, Mr Mcferren later appeared at York Crown Court and was fined £5,000 for breaching serious fire safety regulations and ordered to pay £2,400 in costs.
An investigation into the fire showed that Mr Mcferren had rented out the flats even though there had been no fire risk assessment and there was no working fire alarm and fire detection system in the property.
Richard Hanley of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said: “The majority of business premises that we visit under our audit schedule are well-managed, however, we continue to find buildings where the legislation does apply, which do not have adequate fire risk assessments or fire safety provisions. The conviction of Mr Mcferren on this matter shows how seriously the Fire Authority and the courts view those who put the safety of others at risk in the event of a fire.”
The fire service have issued a warning to remind business owners and landlords that they must comply with the relevant fire regulations.
Fire Training Academy are able to provide you with detailed information on what you need to do to ensure you meet current safety standards.
Prison sentence for Italian CEO after fatal fire
The chief executive officer at Italian firm ThyssenKrupp has been sentenced to almost 17 years in prison after 7 employees died in a fire in 2007 at one of the company’s plants.
The company was fined nearly £900,000 for the serious fire safety breaches.
Other senior officials at the company, Marco Pucci, Gerald Pregnitz, Giuseppe Salerno and Cosimo Cafueri were all sentenced to 13 and a half years in jail, and Daniele Moroni was given just under 11 years.
Prosecutor, Raffaele Guariniello said that the verdict would “mean a lot for health and safety at the workplace”.
Landlord guilty of fire safety breaches
A landlord from Peterborough has been charged with breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 after a fire broke out in September 2010.
The fire started in the Windmill pub below the flats and 6 people had to be rescued by fire crews.
Javid Iqbalm, owner of the flats was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay costs of £899 after being found guilty at Peterborough Magistrates Court. The breaches included failing to provide sufficient escape routes and not having escape windows in the property.
Steve Cotton from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Failing to apply for building regulations approval meant that this building was not compliant with fire safety regulations, and that put lives at risk. If the owner ignores these regulations there is a possibility that the building will not be safe.”
London landlord fined £10,000 for safety breaches
A London landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence after he was found guilty of multiple breaches of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at his Hayes property.
A fire broke out at Inderjit Singhs property in 2009 and fire safety officers found multiple safety breaches including not having fire doors installed and not carrying out an adequate fire risk assessment.
Steve Turek from the London Fire Brigade said: “This verdict sends out a clear message that if landlords ignore fire safety then they will face serious penalties. The London Fire Brigade works hard to make companies and individuals understand their responsibilities under fire safety law and only uses prosecution as a last resort.”
Mr Singh was also ordered to pay £10,000 in costs.
Devon landlord fined £158,000 for safety breaches
Joseph Ernest Draper was fined at Exeter Crown Court after pleading guilty to four offences under the Fire Safety Order 2005.
The court case follows a fire at Mr Drapers Ilfracombe property which resulted in some of the 13 tenants having to escape from the burning building by climbing on to the roof.
After the fire, Devon and Somerset fire investigators carrying out a safety audit discovered that doors were not constructed to resist fire and some did not have self closing devices fitted.
Nick manning from Devon and Somerset fire service said: “Landlords and owners of properties used as flats should take notice of the outcome of this case – it has sent a clear message with the level of the fine awarded.”