Suffolk warehouse directors fined for breaching fire safety rules
The directors of a furniture warehouse in the Suffolk town of Newmarket have been ordered to pay more than £12,000 in fines and court costs after they were found guilty of breaching fire safety regulations.
The owners of the Showhouse Furniture warehouse, Edward Babington and Francoise Guillambert, were prosecuted after inspectors from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service uncovered numerous fire safety breaches at the premises.
The inspection took place following a fire at the warehouse last October.
As well as poorly maintained fire safety systems, the inspection of the warehouse revealed blocked fire exits and a lack of emergency lighting in vital areas. It is not known whether the company directors or their staff had undergone fire safety training or not.
After admitting 12 offences relating to the breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the two directors were fined a total of £6,100. They were also ordered to pay £6,000 in prosecution costs.
Commenting on the case, Councillor Colin Spence said:
“I hope that this case will highlight the importance of compliance with fire safety regulations.
“When employees are placed at serious risk, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will take appropriate and proportionate action.”
Working in the industry I’m shocked at how many employers don’t take health and safety, particularly fire safety, seriously, even when they realise that lives can be damaged or even lost not to mention the potential risk to their business!