A company operating a guest house near Shepton Mallet has been fined £26,000 after admitting multiple fire safety breaches, following an investigation by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. The court also ordered the business to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £5,700 in costs, bringing the total bill to £33,700. [dsfire.gov.uk], [somersetco…ette.co.uk]
Prestleigh Inn B&B Limited pleaded guilty to four offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 after inspectors discovered a series of serious failings at the five-bedroom guest house. These included the absence of a fire risk assessment, a fire alarm system with nine faults, inadequate maintenance of fire safety equipment, and defective fire doors designed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire. [dsfire.gov.uk], [uk.news.yahoo.com]
The investigation began after a guest raised concerns about safety at the premises. The deficiencies were considered so severe that fire inspectors issued prohibition notices preventing people from sleeping at the property until essential remedial work had been completed. [dsfire.gov.uk], [somersetco…ette.co.uk]
Fire Safety Manager Darren Bridges said the case should serve as a warning to all accommodation providers, stressing that failing to assess fire risks and maintain appropriate safety measures not only puts lives at risk but can also result in prosecution. [dsfire.gov.uk], [fia.uk.com]
⚠️Key Reminder: Every business has a legal responsibility to assess fire risks, maintain fire safety systems, and ensure safe escape routes are available. Fire safety failures can have potentially devastating consequences for occupants and staff alike. [dsfire.gov.uk], [uk.news.yahoo.com]
#FireSafety #SheptonMallet #BusinessSafety #FireRiskAssessment #SafetyFirst 🔥🏢
