A Salford takeaway has paid £13,000 after pleading guilty to nine offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Delicious Foods Ltd of Liverpool Road, Eccles pleaded guilty to the offences at Manchester city magistrates court on Friday 6 January. Breaches included failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, failing to provide a suitable escape route, and failing to provide a fire alarm or warning system in case of fire.
“On inspecting the building, it was found that the upper part of the premises was being used as a sleeping area and for general accommodation purposes,” said Peter O’Reilly, director of prevention and protection at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
“The only escape route from the upper floors was a single staircase which led into the commercial kitchen. There was no evidence of any system to raise the alarm in case of fire. Nor was there any was there any emergency lighting present and the fire extinguishers which were there had not been properly maintained.
“Due to the lack of fire resistance to the staircase, and the cooking processes used, any fire would develop rapidly and spread into the staircase – it essentially becoming a chimney filling with very hot, toxic smoke – thus preventing anyone on the upper floors from escaping safely from the premises.”
Fire safety inspectors issued an immediate prohibition notice forbidding anyone using the basement, first and second floors, and an enforcement notice ordering an improvement in conditions. Prosecution proceedings were also started.
“This complete disregard for the law, and the subsequent danger to life these premises posed, meant we had no option but to seek action through the courts,” said Mr O’Reilly.