London landlord fined £20,000 for fire safety failings
A London landlord has been fined £20,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.
Hitesh Mashru did not provide fire safety equipment or smoke detectors and also failed to carry out the appropriate house of multiple occupation (HMO) fire risk assessments at his property in Hertfordshire. This negligence led to a fire which destroyed two flats.
Four Peterborough bars flagged up as fire safety risks
The Safer Peterborough Partnership has identified four city centre bars as having breached fire safety regulations, possibly putting their customers and staff in danger.
The Partnership – made up of a number of organisations dedicated to reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in the area – sent out a task force to conduct spot checks on five city centre bars, with the aim of discovering whether they were following fire safety regulations or not.
The task force revealed that four out of the five drinking establishments they visited had breached fire safety regulations in some way, either with blocked or otherwise obstructed fire exits or fire doors that were left open.
The owners of the bars have now been advised to review their fire training practices and arrange for these relatively minor problems to be rectified as soon as possible.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service safety officer Steve Robinson said:
“Fire safety standards were found to be poor in four out of five of the premises we inspected on the night.
“This means that the safety of those inside had been put at risk and demonstrates why these inspections are so important.”
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.”
Opus Homewares fined over B&M Bargains fire safety breach
Discount store chain Opus Homewares has reportedly been fined more than £7,500 after fire safety breaches were found at one of its stores.
The B&M Bargains outlet in Hartlepool’s Highlight Retail Park was found to have breached fire safety regulations a total of five times by blocking emergency exits. The obstructed exits were uncovered following a fire at the premises in September 2009, but Opus Homewares has only now been taken to court over the issue.
Speaking on behalf of Cleveland Fire Brigade, head of fire engineering Barry Waller explained:
“The fire broke out at the front of the store and, after the fire was extinguished by responding fire crews, it was found that several exits were unavailable or obstructed.
“The circumstances found at the time of the incident were such that they seriously compromised the safety of the occupants and that is not something the fire brigade can, or will, condone.
“It is important people realise we take these regulations very seriously and we will take such action whenever necessary.”
For their fire safety failures – which should have been dealt with as part of a fire risk assessment – Opus Homewares was fined a total of £7,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £4,000.
Fire Service voices concerns over fire safety in Welsh pubs
Following a series of recent audits and inspections of licensed premises, officers from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service have expressed their concern over the inadequate levels of fire safety measures they found.
The fire service, which is responsible for enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, unearthed alarming fire safety deficiencies in the bars, pubs and clubs it inspected. These included problems with fire alarm systems, fire doors, exits and escapes, emergency lighting, fire risk assessments and fire safety training for staff.
As well as explaining how these deficiencies could be putting members of the public in jeopardy, a North Wales Fire & Rescue Service representative outlined what could happen to business owners whose premises aren’t up to standard. Business Education Manager Mark Kassab warned:
“We have the power under the legislation to issue enforcement notices to make responsible persons improve standards and restrict or close the premises where the risk of injury or death from fire is unacceptable.
“We can also ask for the Local Authority to review a licensed premises where we have found significant problems. Failure to comply with the Fire Safety Order can result in prosecution with fines and imprisonment for offences.”