Cheshire hotel in breach of fire safety codes
The fire service has sent out a warning to hoteliers that fire safety procedures and the equipment installed on their premises needs to be checked regularly following a number of serious breaches at the Belfry Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The hotel was fined £75,000 for three counts of serious breaches of the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order last Monday after a routine visit by firefighters drew their attention to the issues surrounding fire safety.
The manager for Community Fire Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Shears, said:
“Fire safety is a key part of good business management and the Hallmark Hotel Group showed little or no regard for the safety of their guests or employees and the result was a prosecution.”
This incident has served as a serious wake-up call to businesses that do not have working fire alarms in place as well as suitable fire exits for the safety of their guests during an evacuation of the premises. Hotel staff had also not been properly trained in fire safety.
Judge Elgin Edwards told the court:
“For people who run hotels, fire security is particularly important.
“This company carried on trading and taking guests when quite clearly these guests were put at substantial risk.”
The hotel has now reopened following the recommended changes to its fire safety procedures and equipment.
Blaze breaks out in Wigan school
It has been reported that a fire in a Wigan primary school caused the premises to be evacuated last Tuesday morning.
Fire crews arrived at Canon Sharples CE Primary School shortly before noon as smoke alarms drew the attention of staff to the blaze which was thought to have started due to an electrical fault.
The fire, which began in the caretaker’s room, was contained by the fire doors and so there were no injuries in the incident.
It took firefighters around 45 minutes to extinguish the flames.
Deputy head-teacher Angela Holmes explained the importance of having modern fire safety equipment installed on the premises when she said:
“The building has only been here for about six years so everything is relatively new and we have the most up-to-date technology which alerted us immediately to the fire. The smoke alarm is hooked up to a computer system which tells us exactly where the problem is so we were able to act quickly and got all the children and staff out straight away.”
The fire only interrupted the school day for an hour and lessons resumed shortly after the Wigan fire crews said it was now safe to return to the school building.
HMO landlord still breaching safety regulations after fine
The landlord of an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is still failing to adhere to fire safety rules even after being fined £2,000 and £1,000 in costs for his property in Newquay.
The property was inspected on 13th March 2009 and it was found that there were insufficient or inadequate fire alarms, fire escapes and emergency escape lighting.
Mr Gage was subsequently visited 5 times and had not improved safety standards in the property to an appropriate level. Cornwall Council then decided to bring the case to the attention of the courts.
Mr Paul Gage was found guilty of 6 offences at Liskeard Magistrates Court in July 2010.
Plymouth landlord fined after breaching fire safety regulations
A Plymouth landlord has been found guilty of fire safety breaches after a housing officer conducted an audit on the property last year. The officer discovered that the building had not been fitted with fire alarms, fire extinguishers or adequate emergency lighting.
Mrs Bartlett was ordered to pay £6,929 in costs and will carry out 120 hours of community service after Plymouth Magistrates Court found her guilty of not adhering to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
Barnsley nightclub shut down due to fire safety
A club in Barnsley has been forced to close because of safety concerns by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
The Citrus Rooms club in Eastgate was hoping to have its license renewed at a review hearing, but Barnsley Council was told of the fire service’s fears regarding safety.
A spokesman for Barnsley Council said:
“Members were provided with evidence relating to defective emergency lighting, defective electrical installations, locked emergency exits and poor management.
“At the hearing it was agreed the premises would close voluntarily until September 27 to allow the owners to make the necessary improvements, undertake management and staff training and provide appropriate health and safety documentation.
“However, the premises’ licence holder, Citrus Trading Limited, has now surrendered the licence to Barnsley Council with immediate effect.”
Councillor Charlie Wraith, chairman of the licensing board, also commented on the review:
“We gave the company the benefit of the doubt and allowed them two weeks, at their own request, to complete the necessary improvements to the premises and prove they had the appropriate training and procedures in place to ensure the safety of the public. However, the licence holder has decided against this option and has opted to close the premises.”