by Cormeton Electronics Ltd | Nov 2, 2015 | News & Events
Firm admits ten breaches A firm in Preston, Lancashire, have admitted to ten counts of breaching fire safety laws after a deliberate arson attack at their premises nearly ended in tragedy. One resident was forced to run past flames to escape the blaze, whilst another was nearly struck by falling PVC windows which buckled under the heat of the fire. The incident was caused by another resident of the building, who deliberately torched the entrance hall outside her second floor flat, causing the a fire to break out and rapidly spread. Fire inspectors subsequently uncovered a string of dangerous fire safety practices at the property. The firm responsible for running the building, 3i Investments Ltd and its director Faisal Hussain pleaded guilty to the offences after being prosecuted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue. The charges against the firm included: failure to provide adequate fire separation between the means of escape and the flats failure to provide a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and review the existing assessment failure to provide effective fire safety management failure to provide an adequate alarm system failure to have adequate fire doors to one of the 2nd floor flats failure to have adequate fire safety signage, failure to adequately maintain the existing fire alarm system and failure to provide a sufficient fire evacuation...
by Cormeton Electronics Ltd | Nov 2, 2015 | Blog, News & Events
A Reading landlord has been handed a fine of £20,000 and ordered to pay £3,343 in costs after being prosecuted for a string of offences. Mr Hafiz Gulfraz, who owned the house in multiple occupation, was charged with 12 offences including failing to ensure that the fire alarm and emergency lighting were maintained in good working order. The safety concerns were flagged to Reading Council by one of the tenants at the property. After inspecting the premises, the council believed was an imminent risk of harm if the tenants were to remain living in the property and an emergency prohibition order was served. The court said that the case was one of the worst that it had ever dealt with. Richard Davies, Lead Councillor for Housing at Reading Borough Council, said: “The private rented sector is large in Reading and is a rapidly growing market. “Most landlords provide decent and well managed homes but there are a few who do not meet the standards their tenants have a right to...
