Windsor property managers sentenced for “serious fire safety deficiencies”

Mr Vi Ciong Tang and Ms Ming Zhou were ordered to pay more than £9,200 after an investigation by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service found “serious fire safety deficiencies” in a property located above a restaurant on St Leonards Road in Windsor.

The pair also received a suspended 14-week custodial sentence after pleading guilty to eight offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Reading Crown Court on 22 May.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s investigation found a lack of a fire detection system within the commercial and residential units at the property, insufficient emergency lighting and inadequate fire doors that would have compromised the means of escape in an emergency scenario.

The investigation also found that the minimum fire, electrical and gas safety standards had not been met throughout the property.

Fire safety measures

Tang was fined £2,400, while Zhou received a financial penalty of £1,650. Both were also ordered to pay additional legal costs and a victim surcharge, bringing the total to £9,250.

Speaking about the case, Tim Benham (fire safety enforcement manager at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service) said: “This case demonstrates that we will take steps to ensure businesses have the correct fire safety measures in place.”

Benham continued: “As a Fire and Rescue Service, our purpose is to help keep businesses, people and communities safe. We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their livelihoods.”

Adding to that last point, Benham concluded: “However, fire safety is not optional. While we continue to work closely with businesses, we will take action to enforce the law and keep people safe if necessary.”

*Further information is available online at www.rbfrs.co.uk