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A Carlisle businessman has been fined £3,500 after failing to comply with fire safety legislation.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service successfully secured a prosecution against Abdul Bari for failing to comply with fire safety legislation at the Bari Continental restaurant in Carlisle.

Mr Bari pleaded guilty to five offences and was fined £3,500 plus £3,619 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Fire safety legislation changed in 2006 and placed a duty on the responsible person of a premises - owner, manager or employer - to carryout a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and action any significant findings from this assessment.

John Moorcroft, Cumbria’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer said: "The aim of this legislation is to get responsible people to take ownership of fire safety within the premises they occupy and this is a perfect example of what can happen when someone doesn’t follow the law.

"There is guidance available from the Communities and Local Government and people can use that to work towards reducing the chance of a fire occurring in their property and enhance the safety of people within the premises if a fire does occur.

"Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is the enforcing authority and we work closely with businesses to educate and assist them the meet the requirements of the order, however when serious breaches occur that could potentially cause injury or death to people on a premises we will prosecute those who do not comply.

"We work hard to maintain safer premises for the communities of Cumbria and will ensure this happens either through education or enforcement as necessary."

Anybody operating businesses need advice they can find free guides to download from www.firesafetyguides.communities.gov.uk (external link) they can also get examples of log books and other useful information from www.cumbriafireservice.org (external link) 

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226335