Hotel found guilty of putting guests at risk

Westminster Magistrates have found a London hotel guilty of breaching fire regulations.

Concerns were raised by guests staying at the Paddington hotel and an investigation by London Fire Brigade revealed that the hotel had failed to carry out a sufficient or suitable fire risk assessment which is a requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Officers also found emergency exits were blocked and fire doors wedged open.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty but were fined heavily.  Owners Awan Investments were ordered to pay £27,000 and hotel manager, Malik Mohammed Bashir paid £5000.

Steve Turek, London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner for the fire safety regulation said “The general public should feel safe from fire when they are staying at a hotel and the responsible person must make sure their premises comply with the regulations.