A property manager has been ordered to pay more than £22,000 after investigators at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) found several “serious” fire safety deficiencies at a property in Slough.
During an investigation in early 2023, multiple breaches of fire regulations were discovered at the property, which is situated above a high street takeaway. As detailed by BBC News, the flat is managed by 35-year-old Waheed Afzal.
As listed by the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, the fire safety breaches included:
- a lack of a linked fire detection system between the commercial and residential units at the property
- insufficient emergency lighting
- inadequate fire doors
- non-fire resisting glazing that would have compromised the means of escape in an emergency.
Appearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19 June 2014, Afzal pleaded guilty to six charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. He was given a fine of £16,000 and ordered to pay both a victim surcharge and prosecution costs. In total, he was ordered to pay £22,646.82.
Commenting on the successful prosecution, Fire Safety Enforcement Lead at RBFRS, Michal Kosierb said: “This case shows that businesses must take their commitments to fire safety seriously and that we will take action where necessary in the interest of public safety.
“As a Service, our purpose is to help keep businesses, people, and communities safe. We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their livelihoods. However, cases like this demonstrate that, if people’s safety is at stake, we will take decisive action to ensure businesses comply with the law.”