2nd October 2025

Company Director Prosecuted For Fire Safety Breaches

What’s Happened?

A company director has recently been fined after being found guilty of numerous fire safety breaches at his business premises due to placing the occupants in the upper-floor flats at great risk.

The prosecution relates to the owner of an Indian street food takeaway located in West Sussex. During a routine fire safety audit of the premises, inspecting officers from West Sussex Fire and Rescue identified multiple serious fire safety breaches that placed the people who were sleeping in the building at great risk. The breaches were significant and included:

• The lack of a suitable fire alarm system
• Inadequate means of escape
• Inadequate fire safety arrangements
• The lack of testing and maintenance of key fire safety systems, including fire alarms and emergency lighting
• No evidence of sufficient staff training in respect of fire safety

In Court

On 8 September 2025, the company director appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in relation to five charges brought forward under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. The director was found guilty and ordered to pay a total of £6,200 in fines.

Following the prosecution, the head of fire safety for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, explained: “Fire safety regulations are in place for a reason and those with legal responsibility for fire safety management must adhere to these laws. The safety of the public is our highest priority. This sentencing serves as a clear reminder to all West Sussex businesses about the importance of complying with the fire safety legislation.”

“West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is committed to supporting businesses to ensure the safety of the public by providing fire safety advice and guidance, and will always work with those who are willing to address their fire safety issues. We will not allow companies to attempt to hide from their duties when our fire safety inspectors identify that the lives of the public are being put at risk and will pursue legal action when appropriate.”