As reported by West Sussex County Council, a company director has been fined more than £9,000 for six breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)
In September 2023, fire crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) were alerted to a fire at the Dragon and Peacock Chinese takeaway restaurant in Burgess Hill via a 999 call by a member of the public, with the fire believed to have been caused by a faulty electrical supply.
Firefighters led four people to safety, with WSFRS later confirming that the “rear of the building was significantly damaged” by the blaze. After pleading guilty to a number of fire safety breaches, Ms Yuting Zhuo, the company director of the restaurant at the time of the fire, was sentenced at Crawley Magistrates Court on 6 March 2025.
During the hearing, the court was told that the breaches had led to an “increased risk of death and serious injury to those residing at the premises”. The court also heard that those inside the premises were “lucky” a member of the public alerted the fire services when the blaze broke out. In the sentencing, Zhuo was ordered to pay a total of £9157.37, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.
Commenting on the successful prosecution, Head of Fire Safety for WSFRS, Area Manager Dave Bray said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case and believe it serves as a strong reminder to business owners – particularly where sleeping accommodation is provided above the commercial premises – that they must ensure those people are able to be alerted to the presence of fire, and have suitable escape routes to safely and quickly evacuate the building.
“It is only through luck that this fire did not have consequences far more sinister.
“Duty holders are reminded that the Fire Safety Order is in place to protect life in the event of a fire. As such, the highest sanctions possible will be sought where these failings endanger the lives of residents and visitors to West Sussex.”
WSFRS has provided fire safety advice and guidance for businesses on its website here.