Fire Safety

Last September, a care home company who owned the site in Weybridge, pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order at Staines Magistrates Court, but the magistrates referred the case to Guildford Crown Court for sentencing last month.

The investigation by Surrey fire officers revealed the fire started as a result of accumulated general rubbish and storage in the boiler room. They also found that staff were not instructed in the findings of the fire risk assessment, which had identified the boiler room as a high risk area and one that should not be used as a storage area. In addition, the care home did not have an adequate system for implementing and reviewing the fire safety arrangements on the premises, so placing the people who were in their care and their staff at increased risk.

“This case clearly demonstrates how our fire safety officers are successfully inspecting relevant buildings and applying the law to help ensure the safety of our community,” said Gavin Watts, Surrey’s assistant chief fire officer. “Surrey Fire and Rescue Service works closely with businesses to help them with their compliance duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, but where their responsibilities are not taken seriously, the service will absolutely consider prosecution – particularly in cases such as this when vulnerable people may be affected by a company’s shortfalls”.

A spokesman for Norfolk House said: “We are carefully studying the determination of the court and what lessons can be learned for the future. This was an isolated and regrettable breach of safety procedures.”