Hellfire Entertainment Ltd fined due to lack of fire safety compliance

Handing down the penalty, Kirklees Magistrates described the company as having “a total and blatant disregard for the safety of members of the public and their own employees” and acting with a “breach of duty and a breach of trust”.

Inspectors from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service visited the premises, located on Zetland Street in the town centre, several times and found repeated breaches of fire safety laws, including the lack of an automatic fire detection system in the kitchen, blocked fire exits and no fire separation between the open kitchen (which included multiple deep fat fryers) and the bar area.

Kirklees Magistrates have also ordered Hellfire Entertainment Ltd to pay £17,280.00 of costs incurred by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Clear message

Chris Kemp, senior fire protection manager at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, commented: “I’m pleased to see such a significant fine, which is the biggest realised in any prosecution by ourselves as a Fire and Rescue Service, handed down in response to a failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice.”

Kemp continued: “Our staff have worked tirelessly to bring about justice and prosecute these breaches, in turn protecting the lives of members of the public in West Yorkshire. We’ve also tried to work with the limited company to resolve the issues on-site, but to no avail.”

Further, Kemp noted: “This outcome sends a clear message. There are real consequences for neglecting fire protection responsibilities. It’s a reminder that safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost-cutting.”

In conclusion, Kemp stated: “I hope this case sets a precedent and encourages others to take their obligations seriously. When we as a regulator have to step in and serve an Enforcement Notice, it’s imperative that business owners work with us to ensure they comply with the requirements of that document.”