Warehouse fire at Sunderland Industrial Estate
Firefighters attended a fire at a warehouse in Sunderland which started on 26th January.
Several business units at the industrial estate off Chaytor Grove in Hendon have been severely damaged.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service remained at the scene for several hours cooling the site. It is reported that the site has an asbestos roof and is thought to be storing around nine gas cylinders.
There were no casualties reported in the fire. An investigation into the cause of the blaze will be carried out by police.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that you:
‘must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed’
This means that all companies as a first point in their Fire Safety must complete a Fire Risk Assessment. This must be carried out by a competent person, who is trained to perform risk assessments.
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.