Portelet Manor Limited Care Home prosecuted for fire safety failings

Sentencing took place at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 31 March after the company entered a guilty plea to a charge brought forward by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Portelet Manor Limited entered the plea in relation to an offence contrary to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that put people at risk of death or serious injury. Contrary to Article 11 of the Fire Safety Order, Portelet Manor Limited failed to ensure appropriate fire safety arrangements were in place.

In addition to the fine, Portelet Manor Limited was ordered to pay £22,000 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Background to the case

A resident who had been smoking in the Care Home’s designated smoking area on 19 June 2023 suffered significant burns and died in hospital eleven days later. Although the Fire and Rescue Service was not called to the incident, it was made aware of what had happened and opened an investigation.

Tom Huntley, fire safety prosecution manager for the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “First and foremost, the thoughts of us all at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service remain with the loved ones, friends and family of the person who tragically lost their life. Public safety is our highest priority. Poole Magistrates’ Court’s finding should serve as a clear message to everyone in Dorset and Wiltshire about the importance of fire safety.”

Huntley added: “We are fully committed to supporting businesses and ‘Responsible Persons’ to ensure the safety of members of the public. However, where there’s a failure to comply with legal requirements, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will pursue prosecution action where it’s appropriate and in the public interest to do so. This case highlights the very serious consequences of failures in fire safety management.”

*Further information is available online at www.dwfire.org.uk