Sentencing took place on Thursday 26th October 2023, following the successful prosecution of Asset Property Management North East Ltd, Total Safety Events Ltd and Mr Justin Morgan at Teesside Crown Court on 11th September 2023.
Asset Property Management has received a £25,000 fine along with Total Safety Events Ltd who were fined £10,000 and Mr Justin Morgan who received a 6-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months with 120 hours of unpaid work. Full costs were awarded to Cleveland Fire Authority to the sum of £29,782.91.
The prosecution followed a fire within a flat at Tower Chambers, Tower Street, Hartlepool. The fire occurred in the early hours on 2nd February 2021 which resulted in a total of 17 people being evacuated including 5 being rescued by the Brigade, two of which were by fire service ladder.
Asset Property Management pleaded guilty on the 11th September 2023 to a total of 4 offences including failing to provide adequate general fire precautions, failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, failing to provide adequate fire doors to protect the escape route, and failed to maintain fire safety facilities which were provided specifically the fire detection and warning system.
Along with Asset Property Management, Total Safety Events Ltd pleaded to failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, Mr Justin Morgan had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and failing to cooperate and coordinate his activities with other responsible persons.
Asset Property Management had contracted Total Safety Events to complete the fire risk assessment on their behalf, who then subcontracted the work to Mr Justin Morgan.
Cleveland Fire Authority has welcomed the outcome of a court case and successful prosecution at Teesside Crown Court for failing to comply with fire safety legislation the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005.
Ian Hayton, Chief Fire Officer at Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) said: “We welcome the outcome of the court case, which reflects the seriousness of the offences committed under fire safety legislation. We always seek to work with business owners in the first instance to maintain fire safety standards within their premises. Where individuals responsible for building fire safety completely disregard their duty and place people at risk, Cleveland Fire Authority will not hesitate to use all of its powers and prosecute offenders where necessary.”
“We would like to remind all businesses that they have a duty to comply with fire safety legislation and support is available from our dedicated team of Fire Safety officers. In bringing this case to a prosecution, it demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibilities to protect the lives of people within our community.”
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. A responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.
CFB works closely with businesses to ensure they comply with the regulations and staff are available to offer practical advice and assistance in this area.
For more information on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and keeping premises safe from fire visit www.clevelandfire.gov.uk/business-advice/.
