Residential firm fined over fire safety breaches

A residential company has been fined £153,000 over fire safety failures at a block of flats in Leeds.

Scanlans Property Management LLP pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice over a defective fire alarm system and incorrect evacuation signs at Ahlux House.

Judge Helen Pitts also ordered the company to pay costs totalling more than £13,000 at a sentencing hearing at Kirklees Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said it took action following longstanding and unresolved concerns about the safety system, with crew having to attend a number of false alarms at the premises.

A WYFRS spokesperson said the court heard notices advising residents to adopt a "stay put" strategy in the event of a fire remained in place, despite a simultaneous evacuation strategy being required.

They said Judge Pitts found the failures created a "high likelihood of serious harm" if there were to be a fire.

The service added that repeated false alarms could lead to residents becoming complacent during a real emergency.

Chris Kemp, senior fire protection manager said: "This is a significant outcome which demonstrates the importance of complying with fire safety legislation and ensuring that residents are protected from avoidable risks.

"The court's findings reinforce the seriousness of these failings and send a clear message that where responsible persons fail to address known fire safety issues, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action."

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