Conviction secured in wake of fire at Smart Auto Parts Ltd

The fire broke out at the premises on 24 April that year at 6.36 pm, engulfing the 50 metres x 30 metres car parts breakers and workshop building. At the time, the building contained 16 vehicles and a forklift truck.

The blaze, which was intensified by the presence of acetylene and LPG cylinders and an asbestos sheet roof, caused complete devastation to the structure and its contents. Four days later, firefighters found the body of Waqas Qureshi in a collapsed section of the building.

A detailed fire safety investigation launched by officers from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service on 30 April 2021 uncovered multiple serious fire safety deficiencies at the premises, including no suitable fire alarm system, blocked and inadequate escape routes, a lack of emergency lighting, an absence of staff fire safety training and no fire risk assessment.

Breaches of the Fire Safety Order

On 22 May this year, Shahzad Syed Haider (director of Smart Auto Parts Ltd), pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to several breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

These included:

*Article 8: Failure to ensure general fire precautions for employees

*Article 9: Failure to conduct a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment

*Article 13: Failure to equip the premises with appropriate fire detection and alarm systems

*Article 17: Failure to maintain the fire safety equipment

*Article 21: Failure to provide employees with relevant fire safety training

Tragic incident

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Matthew Hamer commented: “This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of neglecting fire safety responsibilities. These breaches contributed to the tragic death of Waqas Qureshi and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Hamer concluded: “Every business has a duty to protect its staff and members of the public. The outcome of this case should serve as a stark reminder that fire safety isn’t optional. Rather, it is a legal and moral obligation.”