Warning to landlords after HMO cooking fire
Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has reminded landlords and owners of rented accommodation of their legal responsibilities after a fatal fire last month at a residential property in Teignmouth.
The property was a house in multiple occupation and initial findings point to the fire having started accidentally from cooking. The owner of the property, April Ridley, died in hospital from her injuries and two other people had to be rescued by firefighters.
“Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind landlords and owners of rented accommodated of their legal responsibilities and duty of care for the safety of their tenants with regard to fire,” a fire service spokesperson said. “An appropriate fire risk assessment must be carried out and the necessary fire precautions implemented, for example the provision of a fire warning and detection system.”
