Business owner fined for obstructing fire safety process

The case was brought forward after fire safety officers were carrying out their statutory duties to assess and enforce fire safety standards at the premises. The individual refused to provide the essential information required to evaluate compliance with fire safety regulations: information that’s legally required to ensure adequate measures are in place in order to protect life. This refusal meant the officers were unable to complete an inspection.

Following legal proceedings initiated in 2024 and an appeal at Huntingdon Law Courts in July, the individual was found to be in breach of fire safety law and issued with a fine totalling upwards of £4,700.

Station Commander Jeff Whitlam, one of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire protection managers, said: “We welcome this judgement as it sends a clear message to businesses owners across the county. While we will always work hard to support local businesses and the public and promote fire safety, we will not tolerate deliberate obstruction of fire safety enforcement. The law is in place to protect lives. Those who refuse to co-operate with our inspecting officers put people and premises at risk.”

Whitlam added: “The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 grants us the authority to request specific information and any failure to comply is a criminal offence. We urge all ‘Responsible Persons’ and business operators to fully understand their obligations under fire safety law and co-operate fully with any inspections or requests made by authorised officers.”