Housing provider prosecuted by fire service for fire safety failings

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service prosecuted a housing association for fire safety failings that led to the death of a vulnerable resident.

A fire broke out in the building and the resident who was a wheelchair user was unable to escape. The resident was overcome by heat and smoke which led to their death. The housing association had failed to address historic fire safety issues including recommendations from three years before the fire.

There is a requirement for building managers to conduct personal emergency evacuation plans for vulnerable residents to plan how they will evacuate a building in the event of an emergency.

The housing association was convicted of health and safety breaches and fined £120,000.