A pub owner and the licensee of a Burnley, Lancashire pub were fined after a blaze. The pub’s smoke alarms were not working, and fire safety signs were broken.
Because the fire alarm was not working, a resident who lived in a flat above the pub did not wake up until after the fire had been burning for some time. They had to be rescued by firefighters. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident.
Inspections after the fire highlighted serious health and safety breaches. These included broken fire safety signs, faulty fire alarms, inadequate fire doors and emergency lighting that failed to work because of dead batteries. The inspectors also found that a fire risk assessment had not been carried out. Following the fire inspection, the landlord spent £15,000 on fixing the defects.
A solicitor acting on behalf of the defendants pleaded that the failure to comply with fire regulations was out of ignorance rather than a disregard for people’s safety.
This case highlights the consequences of not having regular fire assessments and keeping fire safety equipment well maintained. Individuals and companies can be prosecuted which can lead to fines, or in serious situations a custodial sentence. Ignorance of health and safety responsibilities is not an excuse that will prevent prosecution.
Not every measure to improve fire safety equipment is expensive. Replacing worn fire safety signs does not cost a lot. Installing new batteries in fire alarms and keeping emergency lighting batteries fully charged are effective but not expensive measures.
