Worthing Takeaway Owner Fined £3,000 For Breaching Fire Safety Rules

Friday, 28 May 2021 06:00

By Jade McLean

A takeaway owner in Worthing has been fined more than £3,000 after he pled guilty to breaching fire safety rules on his premises.

Khoo Hock NG of Salvington Road, Worthing, appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty for compromising the safety of his staff and family.

Firefighters were called to his takeaway kitchen on May 9, 2020, after an extraction hood caught fire.

Following an inspection of the premises, they found there were no working smoke alarms fitted anywhere in the building, there was only one emergency light in the kitchen and no emergency lighting elsewhere on the premises. There was also no adequate means of escape in the event of a fire, other than through the kitchen.

Fire Safety Inspecting Officers also found that there was no risk assessment in place and staff hadn't been trained as to what to do in the event of a fire.

Officers served Mr Ng with a Prohibition Notice, prohibiting the use of his kitchen and an Enforcement Notice, detailing the work that was required to make the building safe.

Officers then inspected the property again in June 2020 and withdrew both notices, satisfied that all necessary work had been carried out.

Mr Ng told Crawley Magistrates Court last week (May 20th) that he had spent £20,000 on remedial work and expressed remorse for breaching safety rules.

After pleading guilty to the breaches in court, he was fined £1,480, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £142 and prosecution costs of £1,641.

Andy Parsons, WSFRS's Fire Safety Enforcement Manager, said:

"We would urge all business owners to ensure they remain compliant under the Fire Safety Order, and if they have any concerns to please come to us for guidance.

"In this particular case, had a fire occurred in the kitchen while the occupants were sleeping, there was no fire alarm to provide them with an early warning and fire and smoke could easily have spread up the staircase due to the lack of a fire door, leading to them becoming trapped on the first floor.

"Fortunately they were lucky on this occasion, as the consequences of fire can be truly devastating.

"As a service we always endeavour to work alongside those responsible for building and occupancy safety particularly working with local businesses to help them address any issues they may be facing. If you have any fire safety concerns, please contact us on 0330 2223333."

For more information visit: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/west-sussex-fire-and-rescue-service/fire-safety-advice-for-businesses/