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News Release
Issued: 22.01.09
At: 10:45am
For immediate release
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Secures Successful Prosecution Following a Breach of Fire Safety Legislation
A local business woman and owner of a Chinese restaurant has been fined
£2,400, after pleading guilty to three charges relating to inadequate fire safety
standards.
Proceedings were brought following a visit to the property on High Street, Leicester
on 5 September 2007 by members of the Fire Protection Group who found significant
contraventions of fire safety measures within the building. These included:
- Failure to provide an adequate fire alarm
- The fire alarm was inoperative
- Failure to provide and protect the escape routes
- The external fire escape was broken and not securely fixed in place
The situation was so dangerous a Prohibition notice was served with immediate
effect to ensure the safety of those who had been working within the building.
Speaking after the case, Tim Moss, Head of the Service’s Fire Protection Group said:-
‘Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service seek to engage with businesses in assisting the owners, or identified responsible persons, to meet their obligations under fire safety legislation. While we are the enforcers of the legislation, we will endeavour to help people to comply and manage risk. The conditions found by the enforcement team were frankly appalling. Indeed they were so bad the premises had to taken out of use immediately and led the Fire Authority to immediately commence a prosecution.
‘Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are pleased that the court emphasised that it was the responsibility of those running businesses to ensure that they have the correct measures in place and should seek advice on the correct running of their establishments.’
The Chair of the Bench said: -
‘People, customers and staff included, have a right to feel safe in your establishment.’
‘The Bench also noted that as a business woman and the owner of the premises, the defendant was clearly responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety legislation.
‘The message to businesses is clear, you must endeavour to comply with relevant fire safety legislation as failure to do so will ultimately result in court attendance and the potential for a significant penalty and a criminal record.’
Rick Taylor, Head of Community Risk Management, said: -
‘Current fire safety legislation is designed to assist employers, owners and occupiers of buildings to manage risk according to their own risk assessments, our role is to ensure those risk assessments are suitable and sufficient. The safety of the public is our primary concern. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will continue to utilise all the powers available to us in enforcing fire safety legislation.’
-- ENDS --
Notes to News Desk
To request an interview with Tim Moss, please contact us at: -
Corporate Communications
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 287 2241
