The management company of a Sussex hotel pleaded guilty to five separate charges contravening the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and was fined the maximum £5,000 for each count plus costs in excess of £11,000.
This prosecution was brought following an inspection after a fire at the premises which left 10 guests trapped in their bedrooms. Fortunately these guests were rescued by fire fighters and no death ensured.
The investigators found a number of breaches in the fire safety of the hotel including the fire alarm panel being switched to ‘silent’ mode and the fire alarms had not been tested regularly. Fire doors had been wedged open and staff had not received the adequate fire safety training. There was also no emergency plan in place should a fire have broken out. The hotel has since changed ownership and has been totally refurbished.