The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 became law in 2006
This firmly placed the responsibility for fire safety in buildings upon the owners and business managers. Ignorance of the risk and lack of provision for protection is no defence. Hefty fines and imprisonment await the unwary. The ’Fire Safety Act 2021’and ‘Fire Safety (England) 2022’ have also become law.
Be wary – BE VERY WARY
Here are some examples of real prosecutions.
Recent Fire Safety Prosecutions in the Bath Area
The Rising Sun Inn (Grove Street, Bath)
Defendant: Ex-landlord Norman Butcher
Case Details: Prosecuted after a serious fire on 21 September 2022 evacuated 31 people and injured one guest. Investigators found unmaintained fire precautions, inadequate evacuation procedures and falsified logbook entries.
Sentence: Nine-month suspended sentence for 15 months and 150 hours of unpaid work at Bristol Crown Court in August 2023.
Rising Sun Inn Bath ex-landlord sentenced over safety failings - BBC News
The Eastern Eye (Quiet Street, Bath)
Defendant: Owner Abdul Hadi Choudhury
Case Details: Prosecuted after an inspection exposed blocked and unlit fire exits, non-working alarms, faulty fire doors and missing risk assessments, described as a "fire death trap".
Sentence: Fined £70,000 and given a six-month suspended sentence.
Local HMO Landlord Prosecution (Bath Magistrates Court)
Defendant: Landlord Simon Blandini
Case Details: Prosecuted under local licensing and fire safety rules after inspectors discovered an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with a defective fire alarm and dangerous key-locks on bedroom doors.
Sentence: Ordered to pay £2,600 in fines and court costs.
Somerset Guest House / B&B Prosecutions
Defendant: Prestleigh Inn B&B Limited
Case Details: Fined following inspections triggered by guest complaints revealing inoperable fire alarms with multiple faults, missing risk assessments and defective fire doors, leading to prohibition notices halting sleeping accommodation.
Sentence: Total fines of £26,000 imposed for multiple breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Other Examples
UK Fire Safety Prosecutions: 34 Cases | Duty Room
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