Disregard for Fire Safety Results in £160,000 Fine

A limited company has been fined £160,000 for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) following “unsafe practices” at a bar in Huddersfield.

Inspectors from the WYFRS Protection Team visited Hellfire Entertainment Ltd on multiple occasions and identified repeated breaches of fire safety regulations, including:

• No automatic fire detection in the kitchen;

• Blocked fire exits; and

• Lack of fire separation between the open kitchen, which included multiple deep fat fryers, and the bar.

WYFRS stated that it had made repeated efforts to work with the company to address the issues, but these attempts were unsuccessful, ultimately prompting the service to take legal action against the owners.

Sentencing took place at Huddersfield Magistrates Court, where Kirklees Magistrates described the company’s behaviour as a “total, blatant disregard for the safety of both members of the public and their own employees,” noting breaches of both duty and trust.

In addition to the £160,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £17,280 in costs to cover WYFRS’s expenses, as reported by BBC News.

Commenting on the prosecution, Chris Kemp, Senior Fire Protection Manager at WYFRS, said this was the largest fine ever issued by the service for failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure justice and protect the public of West Yorkshire. Despite our efforts to help the company resolve these issues, they were ignored.

“This outcome sends a strong message: there are serious consequences for neglecting fire safety responsibilities. Safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost-saving.

“I hope this case sets a precedent and encourages all business owners to take their obligations seriously. When an enforcement notice is issued, it is crucial that businesses comply fully to protect both employees and the public.”

A Fire Protection Association Report

CLICK THE LOGO FOR MORE DETAILS OF THE FPA