A company director has been fined £6,200 for multiple breaches of fire safety regulations following a successful prosecution by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS)
As reported by West Sussex County Council, Mr Sawar Hussain, the responsible person for fire safety management at Naasta, an Indian street food takeaway in Burgess Hill, was found guilty of fire safety breaches under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Five charges were brought against Mr Hussain after an audit of the premises by WSFRS officers uncovered a number of serious fire safety breaches that “placed the people who were sleeping in the building at great risk”.
They included a lack of a suitable fire alarm system at the premises, inadequate means of escape, inadequate fire safety arrangements, and a lack of testing and maintenance of key fire safety systems, including fire alarms and emergency lighting. Officers also found no evidence of sufficient staff training.
During the sentencing at Brighton Magistrates Court on 8 September 2025, Mr Hussain, company director at Naasta, was ordered to pay a total of £6,200.
Commenting on the successful prosecution, head of fire safety at WSFRS, Area Manager Dave Bray said: “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, and 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 & 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.
“However, we will not allow companies to attempt to hide from their duties when our Fire Safety Regulators identify that the lives of the public are being put at risk and will pursue legal action when appropriate.”