Hartlepool store fined for fire safety breaches

A home wares store in Hartlepool has been fined for breaching fire safety regulations, emphasising in monetary terms the necessity of fire risk assessments.

The owning company of B&M Homestores, based in Highlight Retail Park, has been slapped with a £7,500 fine and has been ordered to pay £4,000 in court fees, reports the Hartlepool Mail.

Fire safety officers discovered that the store’s fire exits were blocked after a blaze in the establishment on September 30th 2009.

The parent company of the store, Opus Homewares, were fined under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

If they had carried out a thorough fire risk assessment – which all commercial property owners are mandated to do – they would have discovered the dangers of blocking fire exits.

Ian Hayton, chief fire officer for Cleveland Fire Brigade, told the news provider that owners must ensure that all commercial properties are safe.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people that the role of the fire service in relation to fire safety has changed to that of enforcement,” he said.

“It is the responsibility of owners, occupiers or managers to ensure that suitable and sufficient fire safety arrangements are in place within their premises.”