Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service prosecutes Blackpool landlord

On 19 June 2019, fire safety officers from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service checked the property as part of a multi-agency inspection process and issued a Prohibition Notice referencing the first floor flat at the premises (which, at that time, were occupied by a tenant of Khan’s).   

The two offences to which Khan pleaded guilty are as follows: 

*failure to take such general fire safety precautions so as to ensure the safety of tenants 

*failure to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment

Decision to prosecute

These breaches posed a serious threat to the life and safety of the occupier and anyone else who may have visited the property. As a result, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service took the decision to prosecute Khan for his failure to comply with the Fire Safety Order. He subsequently pleaded guilty on 21 May this year.

On 1 July at Preston Crown Court, Khan was sentenced as follows:

*five months in prison to be served concurrently, suspended for eighteen months

*three hundred hours of community service

*twenty days of rehabilitation

*a fine of £7,500 for failure to comply with the Fire Safety Order

Khan was also ordered to pay £23,120 in costs to the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Legal duty

Ian Armistead, Protection Department Group manager for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Mohammed Asif Khan is responsible for these premises and has a legal duty to ensure a safe environment for those who use them. We hope this prosecution ensures that his properties meet legal standards.”

Armistead continued: “As part of our ongoing effort to make the county of Lancashire safer, our fire safety enforcement teams are actively identifying other dangerous premises. We hope the custodial sentence in this case sends a clear message that fire safety is paramount. The inadequate fire safety measures and management in this instance could have resulted in serious injury or loss of life, leaving us no choice but to take action.”

Further, Armistead noted: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to working with those who are willing to address fire safety issues and we will continue to support businesses in complying with the Fire Safety Order.”

In conclusion, Armistead commented: “We encourage landlords and responsible persons to visit the Business Safety section of our website for advice and guidance on fulfilling their legal fire safety duties.”