Hotel owners fined over £40,000 for fire safety breaches
The owners of a hotel in Bideford have been fined for breaching fire safety regulations after a large fire broke out in the early hours of 31st May 2011.
The company that operates Tantons Hotel, was fined around £40,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 costs at Exeter Crown Court, pleading guilty to five offences under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
55 people were evacuated from the property, among those, four had to be rescued from the roof of the building by police and fire crews after becoming trapped by extreme heat and thick smoke.
It was found that the hotel had not maintained its fire alarm systems, it’s fire doors and fire risk assessment were inadequate and escape routes were blocked.
Graham Rooke from Bideford said: “The Judge gave a clear indication that a strong message needed to go out to those that manage and invest in hotels about the importance of fire safety. Had the finances of the company been in a stronger position, he would have considered fines of between £25,000 and £35,000 for each of the five offences.”
He added “Generally, the standards of accommodation within Devon and Somerset are very good. However, the Fire Authority believed that in this case, the fire safety breaches within the hotel were of such a serious nature that legal action was required. It is my firm belief that the actions of the on-scene emergency services and a member of the hotel staff undoubtedly saved lives that would have been lost. It is important that those people who are responsible for these types of properties understand the law regarding fire safety and what is required of them, and that they realise that any failings will be taken seriously by the service.”