The owner of a hotel in Walsall has been jailed for 12 months for multiple breaches of fire safety legislation. West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) visited the Bescot Hotel in September 2009 after guests made complaints about the safety of the building. The inspection found the rear fire escape staircase was completely obstructed by mattresses and bed frames, which prevented any means of escape via the exit. Smoking material was also discovered next to the mattresses. In addition, a final exit door from the function room had been secured, preventing any escape. The fire alarm system was indicating a fault and, upon investigation, had not been serviced for several years along with the emergency escape lighting, which was also in disrepair.
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