Estate agents fined £28,000 for fire breaches

摘要

An estate agency has admitted failing its legal responsibility to manage fire safety at two residential properties in East Sussex, following a fatal fire. Trainmerit Ltd, trading as Maltbys Estate Agents, acted as managing agents for two properties in Sackville Road in Bexhill. On 23 May 2011, a fatal fire broke out at 36 Sackville Road and subsequent inspections found significant risks to the occupants at 36 and another property at 20/22 Sackville Road, also managed by Maltbys. These risks were created by inadequate fire protection and separation of the escape routes, and a lack of fire alarms and emergency lighting. During the fire, one occupant was trapped in the top floor flat and had to be rescued by firefighters.