£13,000 fine for fire safety breaches
The owner of a property in London, has been ordered to serve 150 hours community service and to pay £13,000 in court costs after being found guilty of a string of offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Mr Saif Ahmed appeared at Tower Bridge magistrates’ court after fire safety officers inspected his property in Camberwell 2009.
Steve Turek, Assistant commissioner said: “It is essential that building owners understand their responsibilities under fire safety law. London Fire Brigade works hard to ensure individuals and companies understand their responsibilities under fire safety law and only uses prosecution as a last resort but this verdict sends out a clear message that if they ignore fire safety then they will face serious penalties.”
Mr Ahmed was found guilty of 7 safety breaches including insufficient fire alarms, emergency lighting and escape routes.
Prison sentence and fines for hotel manager and fire risk assessor
The manager of two hotels in Mansfield has been found guilty of serious fire breaches.
David Liu who is the manager of The Dial Hotel and The Market Inn pleaded guilty to 15 fire safety offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
John O’Rourke, an independent fire risk assessor who was responsible for carrying out the fire risk assessments at the hotels also pleaded guilty to 2 offences.
Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service discovered the breaches whilst on a routine inspection. It was found that the hotels did not have smoke alarms in bedrooms, no adequate means of escape, no emergency lighting and insufficient firefighting equipment.
A prohibition order was issued to the owners stating that the hotel should not be used until the fire safety standards complied with current required standards.
Mr O’Rourke and Mr Liu were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 8th July. Mr O’Rourke was ordered to pay £5,860 and Mr Liu £15,000 in costs. Each will serve 8 months in prison.
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.
Hotel company admits safety breaches after 3 die in fire
The owners of a Hotel in Cornwall have admitted breaching fire safety regulations after what was described as the worst fire in the UK for almost 40 years. Three people died in the blaze.
The fire which broke out on 18th August 2007 is thought to have started in a drinks store room and quickly spread through the building. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze and 90 people were evacuated to safety. Sadly, Joan Harper, 80; Monica Hughes, 86; and her 43 year old son, Peter all died as a result of the fire.
O&C Holdsworth Ltd, who own the hotel in Newquay admitted to several breaches including failing to provide fire detection systems and failing to carry out a sufficient risk assessment.
The owners admitted to serious safety breaches but two employees, who pleaded not guilty to similar charges, were discharged by the judge at Truro Crown Court. Two senior Holdsworth employees, John McMillan and Nichola Burfitt, denied six offences. Their pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
John Hughes – brother of Peter and son of Monica said: “To lose two members of your family is beyond most people’s imagination. The best thing that could come out of this is that the tourism agencies and hotels sit up and take note. There are still premises and hotels around the country that are not complying with fire regulations.”
Cornwall Council said it welcomed the guilty plea. Judge Elwen adjourned sentencing of the company, based in West Yorkshire, until May.
Hostel owner fined after man dies in fire
A Blackburn hostel owner has been ordered to pay £3000 in fines after pleading guilty to breaching fire safety regulations.
Mr Sajed Hussain owns the Devonshire Hostel in Blackburn, Lancashire where a fire broke out in 2008 killing one person.
Prosecutor Joe Hart said: “It is impossible to say, if the evacuation had been speedier, whether Mr Barker would have survived. Accordingly, the Crown cannot say there is a causal link between the failure admitted and his death.”
The Devonshire Hostel has now been fitted with an adequate fire detection and alarm system.