A landlord has been found guilty of a series of fire safety failings which left residents with only one option to escape a fire - via a restaurant with a metal shutter that was closed at night.
London Fire Brigade inspectors visited the takeaway restaurant on New North Road in Islington after concerns were raised by one of the tenants and the local council.
There was residential accommodation on the first and second floors of the building with the takeaway on the ground floor. The only means of escape for the flats was via a single staircase to the restaurant, which had a metal shutter on the front when the shop was closed.
A resident of one of the flats had raised concerns with the landlord, Jin Zhang, about the lack of fire safety measures, and in particular the lack of a fire alarm system given that the premises were above a restaurant, and when no action was taken, contacted the local authority.
When the Brigade’s inspectors visited the property, a number of breaches were identified including fire doors removed on the ground floor, no emergency lighting and no fire alarm.
The breaches were serious enough that a prohibition notice was issued with residents having to vacate the building immediately. As the landlord and the person responsible for fire safety in the building, Mr Zhang was subsequently charged with six offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Paul Jennings, said: “When our inspectors visited this property, the breaches were serious enough for them to immediately evacuate residents as there were grave concerns for their safety in the event of a fire.
“Although the shutter at the front of the restaurant was not locked at night, the residents would still have had to open it before being able to escape during a fire which is completely unacceptable and could easily have hindered their ability to get out quickly.
“It’s important for all tenants to be aware of their landlord’s responsibilities when it comes to fire safety so they can highlight any concerns.
“There’s no excuse for leaving people’s safety to chance, especially when information is so readily available to those with responsibility for safety in buildings to understand what their duties are and ensure they comply with the law.”
Jin Zhang was charged with the following offences and was found guilty on all charges at City of London Magistrates' Court last month:
Fires doors missing; no self-closing door to the kitchen and main electrical intake cupboard was not fire rated.
Insufficient/unsuitable fire risk assessment.
Insufficient fire safety arrangements.
No fire alarm system.
Failure to ensure safe fire exits and escape routes.
No evacuation procedures or emergency plan.
Mr Zhang was fined £500 for each offence and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £50 and £17,335 in costs. The total amount of £20,385 is to be paid within 24 months.
London Fire Brigade December 2021