Petrol station that "put lives at risk" ordered to pay fines and costs

The company and director of a Lanner petrol station garage has been ordered to pay £108,028 in fines and court costs after an inspection last year found they failed to meet the correct fire safety regulations.

The company operating Lanner Garage, ST Forecourt LTD, was fined £100,000 (reduced from £150,000 to account for their early guilty plea) after pleading guilty to five offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The director of the company from Bristol - Mr Satheeswaran Sachchithananthamoorthy - was also ordered to pay £3,800 (reduced from £5,700 for their early guilty plea) and £4, 038 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

It all follows an inspection in October 2022 by the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

They found people had been sleeping illegally on the first floor of the garage without the correct fire precautions being in place,

The fire service also found the garage:

• Did not have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
• Fire detectors and warnings weren't up to standard in a place that was providing a place to sleep
• Fire escape routes in the accommodation weren't adequately protected
• The fire exit was obstructed where the people were living in the first floor accommodation
• Emergency lighting didn't meet the standards expected in the first floor accommodation

The subsequent investigation by CFRS revealed that the company had failed to review the fire safety provisions at the premises and was served a restriction notice.

CFRS is reminding business owners in Cornwall that they are required to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, the portfolio holder responsible for CFRS at Cornwall Council, said: “I’d like to thank the team who have worked hard to bring this prosecution. When people put others’ lives at risk, we will not hesitate to take action and prosecute where necessary.”

Antony Bartlett, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I urge all businesses to ensure they comply with fire regulations. These measures are in place to protect people and can ultimately save lives.”

You can report fire safety concerns to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

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