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.
Lincolnshire explosion kills five
Five men have died in an explosion at an industrial unit in Boston, Lincolnshire.
The incident at the Broadfield Lane industrial estate was attended by 5 fire crews at around 7.00pm on Wednesday.
Firefighters rescued one man who is now in a serious condition in Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham.
Dave Ramscar from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “In total, 35 firefighters attended this incident and along with our control room staff, did an incredible job in very difficult circumstances. All the crews involved have been offered emotional support and counselling, as thankfully, most firefighters rarely experience an incident as serious as this. Our thoughts go out to the families of the men whose lives were tragically lost on Wednesday night, and to the sixth man who we understand is still in a hospital with severe burns. We are continuing to work with Lincolnshire Police to look into the cause of the incident and any further investigations that may need to take place”
Lincolnshire Police said it was not clear what had caused the blast but reports suggest that the unit was being used for distilling illegal alcohol.
Superintendent Keith Owen, from Lincolnshire Police, said: “Our main focus is to identify the unfortunate people who died last night. I don’t want to speculate on whether this was or was not a distillery at this stage. What we’re looking for at the moment are witnesses and being able to identify the persons who lost their lives last night. That’s the main focus of our investigation at the moment.”
Smoke alarms save family home
A family have had a lucky escape after a fire started in one of the children’s bedrooms.
The fire is believed to have started in 5 year old Conrad-Leigh Brydons and 4 year old Kori’s bedroom on Monday morning.
The family think that the fire started in an electrical socket after the boys television had been left on standby but an investigation by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will be carried out to find out exactly what happened.
The family, who were at a neighbour’s house when the fire started, were alerted by the smoke alarm.
Dave Adamson, a firefighter at Westlea Fire Station and community safety technician has offered this advice in the wake of the incident: “Following the house fire at Netherton Close, Park South on Monday, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to reiterate its home fire safety advice. This property was fitted with smoke detectors, and hearing these alerted the householder to the fire. Smoke alarms should be fitted to every level of the home, ideally in the middle of the room or on the hallway and landing. Smoke detectors should be checked regularly to ensure that they are working properly and never remove the batteries or disconnect the alarm. Any appliance that can be switched off should be we don’t advise to leave anything on standby. While there is power going to the unit there is always a risk of a fire. It is a bit extreme to turn everything off but those that can be turned off easily like a TV should be.”
Part of Richmond College destroyed in fire
A fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning has destroyed Richmond College’s painting workshop.
25 firefighters from several fire stations attended the incident after the alarms were activated in the Egerton Road complex.
It took firefighters over 4 hours to extinguish the fire but they managed to prevent the flames spreading into other parts of the building.
Noel Hanson from the fire service said: “The firefighters did really well to stop it from spreading to the rest of the building. The rest of the area was saved by firefighter action and I would like to commend them for their work as well as the security at Richmond College for their guidance.”
There were no casualties reported and an investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the fire.
Staff charged with arson after fire causes more than £500,000 worth of damage
A fire at a pub in North Wales has caused more than £500,000 worth of damage.
The fire broke out at The Running Hare in Ewloe early on 6th February.
Firefighters from Deeside and Buckley fire stations attended the blaze.
Head chef Clinton Stephen and assistant manager Christopher Drake who both work at the pub, have appeared at Flintshire Magistrates Court and have been charged with arson.
The pub is not expected to open again until later April.