In a prosecution brought by the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority, Brian Murdoch and his son David, were ordered to pay more than £50,000 in fines and costs after admitting to charges relating to inadequate fire safety standards.
Brian Murdoch owns property at 90 and 91 Coventry Street, Kidderminster, and his son is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the premises. In July 2007, tenants had to be rescued from those premises following a fire.
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, Brian and David Murdoch pleaded guilty to various breaches of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Fire Safety Order places an obligation upon premises owners/occupiers/employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to their premises from fire. It applies to virtually all premises, with a few exceptions which include single occupancy domestic properties.
The charges against the Murdochs included:
Attention was drawn to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Fire Service during the incident in question. Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Jon Hall, expressed the hope that the case would act as a timely reminder to people throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire to ensure their buildings are safe. He added that the Fire Authority would use enforcement action and, ultimately, prosecution in situations where building owners/operators fail to fulfil their legal obligations to those that use their buildings.
Brian Murdoch owns property at 90 and 91 Coventry Street, Kidderminster, and his son is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the premises. In July 2007, tenants had to be rescued from those premises following a fire.
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, Brian and David Murdoch pleaded guilty to various breaches of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Fire Safety Order places an obligation upon premises owners/occupiers/employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to their premises from fire. It applies to virtually all premises, with a few exceptions which include single occupancy domestic properties.
The charges against the Murdochs included:
- failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks
- failing to ensure that the premises and relevant equipment and devices were properly maintained and in good working order
- failing to comply with the Fire Safety Order, so far as was required.
Attention was drawn to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Fire Service during the incident in question. Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Jon Hall, expressed the hope that the case would act as a timely reminder to people throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire to ensure their buildings are safe. He added that the Fire Authority would use enforcement action and, ultimately, prosecution in situations where building owners/operators fail to fulfil their legal obligations to those that use their buildings.
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